--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Wonder is the feeling of the philosopher…" description: "\"Wonder is the feeling of the philosopher, and philosophy begins in wonder.\" — Plato" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c5f/plato-103_curiosity_wonder-is-the-feeling-of-the-philosopher_2134214.jpg" --- # Wonder is the feeling of the philosopher, and philosophy… ![“Wonder is the feeling of the philosopher, and philosophy begins in wonder.” quote by Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c5f/plato-103_curiosity_wonder-is-the-feeling-of-the-philosopher_2134214.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c5f/plato-103_curiosity_wonder-is-the-feeling-of-the-philosopher_2134214.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c5f/plato-103_curiosity_wonder-is-the-feeling-of-the-philosopher_2134214.jpg) > “Wonder is the feeling of the philosopher, and philosophy begins in wonder.” [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Philosophy originates from a sense of awe that prompts questioning and deeper inquiry. **In simple terms:** Wonder sparks philosophical thought. Key Takeaway Cultivate curiosity to explore fundamental questions. Themes wonder philosophy curiosity inquiry knowledge Mood inquisitive thoughtful inspirational Type philosophical educational reflective When to use this quote - education - scientific research - personal reflection - creative brainstorming Key Concepts Socratic method epistemology intellectual humility Questions to Reflect On - What question arises from your wonder? - How can wonder be balanced with practical action? A Different Perspective Excessive wonder can lead to paralysis without action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Curiosity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/curiosity/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Philosopher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosopher/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wonder/) ## Related quotes > [“Philosophy begins in wonder." -Plato”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/philosophy-begins-in-wonder-plato/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Philosophy begins in wonder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/philosophy-begins-in-wonder/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [There are lots of stories about how philosophy begins. Some people claim it begins in wonder; some people claim it begins in worry. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-critchley/there-are-lots-of-stories-about-how-philosophy-begins-some-people/) [Simon Critchley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-critchley/) > [“It is a positive starting point for philosophy when Aristotle says that philosophy begins with wonder, not as in our day with doubt. Moreover…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-ren-kierkegaard/it-is-a-positive-starting-point-for-philosophy-when-aristotle-says/) [Søren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-ren-kierkegaard/) > [Philosophy begins with wonder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/philosophy-begins-with-wonder/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [Philosophy begins in wonder. And, at the end, when philosophic thought has done its best, the wonder remains.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/philosophy-begins-in-wonder-and-at-the-end-when-philosophic-thought/) [Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/) > [Aristotle said that philosophy begins in wonder. I believe it also ends in wonder. The ultimate way in which we relate to the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-keen/aristotle-said-that-philosophy-begins-in-wonder-i-believe-it-also/) [Sam Keen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-keen/) > [I see Kathie Lee. She's not angry about anything. She's having the time of her life, and I really mean that, because I watch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regis-philbin/i-see-kathie-lee-she-s-not-angry-about-anything-she-s-having-the-time/) [Regis Philbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regis-philbin/) > [No matter how guy is in love with you, he would still wonder of what's the feeling to be with another girl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/no-matter-how-guy-is-in-love-with-you-he-would-still-wonder-of-what-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Richard Bandler suggested that one of the major blocks to creativity was the feeling of knowing you are right. When we think we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bradshaw/richard-bandler-suggested-that-one-of-the-major-blocks-to-creativity/) [John Bradshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bradshaw/) > [When I cruise around, I can't help but study people's faces and emotions and wonder why they're feeling the way they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-bruno/when-i-cruise-around-i-can-t-help-but-study-people-s-faces-and/) [Aaron Bruno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-bruno/) > [At the end of the day, when I am lying in bed and I know the chances of any of our theology being exactly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-miller/at-the-end-of-the-day-when-i-am-lying-in-bed-and-i-know-the-chances/) [Donald Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-miller/) > [For this feeling of wonder shows that you are a philosopher, since wonder is the only beginning of philosophy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/for-this-feeling-of-wonder-shows-that-you-are-a-philosopher-since/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Awareness of the divine begins with wonder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-joshua-heschel/awareness-of-the-divine-begins-with-wonder/) [Abraham Joshua Heschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-joshua-heschel/) > [The Spirit is neither good nor bad, it runs where the wild heart leads" "Wisdom begins in wonder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/the-spirit-is-neither-good-nor-bad-it-runs-where-the-wild-heart-leads/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) ## More by Plato > [Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [You may be sure, dear Crito, that inaccurate language is not only in itself a mistake: it implants evil in men's souls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/you-may-be-sure-dear-crito-that-inaccurate-language-is-not-only-in/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [“If men learn this, it will implant forgetfulness in their souls; they will cease to exercise memory because they rely on that which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/if-men-learn-this-it-will-implant-forgetfulness-in-their-souls-they/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Knowledge which is acquired under compulsion obtains no hold on the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/knowledge-which-is-acquired-under-compulsion-obtains-no-hold-on-the/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [I do not think it is permitted that a better man be harmed by a worse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/i-do-not-think-it-is-permitted-that-a-better-man-be-harmed-by-a-worse/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Any city, however small, is in fact divided into two, one the city of the poor, the other of the rich; these are at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/any-city-however-small-is-in-fact-divided-into-two-one-the-city-of/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [When men speak ill of thee, live so as nobody may believe them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/when-men-speak-ill-of-thee-live-so-as-nobody-may-believe-them/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [“The love of man to woman is a thing common and of course, and at first partakes more of instinct and passion than of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/the-love-of-man-to-woman-is-a-thing-common-and-of-course-and-at-first/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Strange times are these in which we live when old and young are taught in falsehood's school, and the one man that dares to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/strange-times-are-these-in-which-we-live-when-old-and-young-are/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [“He was a wise man who invented God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/he-was-a-wise-man-who-invented-god/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [For let me tell you, that the more the pleasures of the body fade away, the greater to me is the pleasure and charm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/for-let-me-tell-you-that-the-more-the-pleasures-of-the-body-fade-away/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [“What shall we say about those spectators, then, who can see a plurality of beautiful things, but not beauty itself, and who are incapable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/what-shall-we-say-about-those-spectators-then-who-can-see-a-plurality/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Geometry existed before creation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/geometry-existed-before-creation/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [When men speak ill of thee, live so that nobody will believe them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/when-men-speak-ill-of-thee-live-so-that-nobody-will-believe-them/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [We must, if we are to be consistent, and if we re to have a real pedigree herd, mate the best of our men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/we-must-if-we-are-to-be-consistent-and-if-we-re-to-have-a-real/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) [Explore all 1,278 Plato quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) ## More Curiosity quotes > [I'm a strange mixture of my mother's curiosity; my father, who grew up the son of the manse in a Presbyterian family, who had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-murdoch/i-m-a-strange-mixture-of-my-mother-s-curiosity-my-father-who-grew-up/) [Rupert Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-murdoch/) > [“Metal makes everything magical. Just ask a unicorn.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sybrina-durant/metal-makes-everything-magical-just-ask-a-unicorn/) [Sybrina Durant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sybrina-durant/) > [ We have no clear ideas of the agency of \[demonic\] spirits, nor is it necessary. The Scripture says little to satisfy our curiosity; but… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-newton/we-have-no-clear-ideas-of-the-agency-of-demonic-spirits-nor-is-it/) [John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-newton/) > [The four Cs of making dreams come true: Curiosity, Courage, Consistency, Confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/the-four-cs-of-making-dreams-come-true-curiosity-courage-consistency/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [Curiosity Can Kill.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anison/curiosity-can-kill/) [Anison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anison/) > [“So curious you must be. Like little calves poking their heads through the fence with big eyes and a headful of curiosity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carew-papritz/so-curious-you-must-be-like-little-calves-poking-their-heads-through/) [Carew Papritz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carew-papritz/) > [ “\[T\]he question "What is everything?" has no meaning, even though it seems to be profound. \[...\] The point is, perhaps, that I am not… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-w-watts/t-he-question-what-is-everything-has-no-meaning-even-though-it-seems/) [Alan W. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-w-watts/) > [ By profession a biologist, \[Thomas Henry Huxley\] covered in fact the whole field of the exact sciences, and then bulged through its four fences.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/by-profession-a-biologist-thomas-henry-huxley-covered-in-fact-the/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [How do we know that we have a right to kill creatures that we are so little above, as dogs, for our curiosity or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/how-do-we-know-that-we-have-a-right-to-kill-creatures-that-we-are-so/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Be curious not judge mental](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/unknow/be-curious-not-judge-mental/) Unknow > [There is nothing so carking as the pangs of unsatisfied curiosity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-atherton/there-is-nothing-so-carking-as-the-pangs-of-unsatisfied-curiosity/) [Gertrude Atherton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-atherton/) > [Curiosity is the essence of human existence. 'Who are we? Where are we? Where do we come from? Where are we going?'... I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/curiosity-is-the-essence-of-human-existence-who-are-we-where-are-we/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Sometimes curiosity is a poison, not only for those who drink it but for everyone around it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-norman-lippert/sometimes-curiosity-is-a-poison-not-only-for-those-who-drink-it-but/) [G. Norman Lippert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-norman-lippert/) > [As long as your curiosity is greater than your fear, you will move forward!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/as-long-as-your-curiosity-is-greater-than-your-fear-you-will-move/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it sure has earned a lot of people graduate degrees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robyn-irving/curiosity-may-have-killed-the-cat-but-it-sure-has-earned-a-lot-of/) Robyn Irving [Browse all 2,721 Curiosity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/curiosity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Wonder is the feeling of the philosopher, and philosophy begins in wonder.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Plato" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/wonder-is-the-feeling-of-the-philosopher-and-philosophy-begins-in/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Curiosity" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/wonder-is-the-feeling-of-the-philosopher-and-philosophy-begins-in/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c5f/plato-103_curiosity_wonder-is-the-feeling-of-the-philosopher_2134214.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c5f/plato-103_curiosity_wonder-is-the-feeling-of-the-philosopher_2134214.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c5f/plato-103_curiosity_wonder-is-the-feeling-of-the-philosopher_2134214.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Wonder is the feeling of the philosopher, and philosophy begins in wonder.” — Plato", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Plato", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Wonder is the feeling of the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/wonder-is-the-feeling-of-the-philosopher-and-philosophy-begins-in/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/wonder-is-the-feeling-of-the-philosopher-and-philosophy-begins-in/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```