--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Some men see what is, and ask 'Why?' I…" description: "\"Some men see what is, and ask 'Why?' I see what might be, and ask 'Why Not?'\" — Robert Kennedy" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc8/robert-kennedy-2083_asks_some-men-see-what-is-and-ask-why-i-see-w_367316.jpg" --- # Some men see what is, and ask 'Why?' I see what might be… ![“Some men see what is, and ask 'Why?' I see what might be, and ask 'Why Not?'” quote by Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc8/robert-kennedy-2083_asks_some-men-see-what-is-and-ask-why-i-see-w_367316.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc8/robert-kennedy-2083_asks_some-men-see-what-is-and-ask-why-i-see-w_367316.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc8/robert-kennedy-2083_asks_some-men-see-what-is-and-ask-why-i-see-w_367316.jpg) > “Some men see what is, and ask 'Why?' I see what might be, and ask 'Why Not?'” [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Visionary thinking asks “why not?” rather than accepting the status quo. **In simple terms:** Imagine possibilities beyond current reality. Key Takeaway Dream big. Themes innovation curiosity future thinking Mood optimistic inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - entrepreneurship - scientific research - social reform - artistic creation Key Concepts creative problem solving visionary leadership Questions to Reflect On - What “why not” ideas excite you? - How can you turn imagination into action? A Different Perspective Practical constraints may limit feasibility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Why not](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/why-not/) ## Related quotes > [I see men ordinarily more eager to discover a reason for things than to find out whether the things are so.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/i-see-men-ordinarily-more-eager-to-discover-a-reason-for-things-than/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [Some men see things as they are and ask why. Others dream things that never were and ask why not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/some-men-see-things-as-they-are-and-ask-why-others-dream-things-that/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) > [“Why do the men come, do you suppose?" "Who knows why men do anything?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-adams/why-do-the-men-come-do-you-suppose-who-knows-why-men-do-anything/) [Richard Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-adams/) > [Men are; more inclined to ask curious questions than to obtain necessary instruction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pasquier-quesnel/men-are-more-inclined-to-ask-curious-questions-than-to-obtain/) [Pasquier Quesnel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pasquier-quesnel/) > [When you ask "why", "what if" and "why not" you force yourself to explore what's possible and not just what is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-linkner/when-you-ask-why-what-if-and-why-not-you-force-yourself-to-explore/) [Josh Linkner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-linkner/) > [Who knows why men do anything?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-adams/who-knows-why-men-do-anything/) [Richard Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-adams/) > [Some men and women are inquisitive about everything, they are always asking, if they see any one with anything they ask what is that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-stein/some-men-and-women-are-inquisitive-about-everything-they-are-always/) [Gertrude Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-stein/) > [“Men ask such stupid questions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-dixon/men-ask-such-stupid-questions/) [Debra Dixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-dixon/) > [Asking "Why?" can lead to understanding. Asking "Why not?" can lead to breakthroughs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/asking-why-can-lead-to-understanding-asking-why-not-can-lead-to/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [All men by nature desire to know. An indication of this is the delight we take in our senses; for even apart from their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/all-men-by-nature-desire-to-know-an-indication-of-this-is-the-delight/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [The most terrifying question a woman can ask a man is: Notice anything different?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-most-terrifying-question-a-woman-can-ask-a-man-is-notice-anything/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We men are fascinated by the things we don't really understand. It gives us something to think and talk about: like females, they drive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/we-men-are-fascinated-by-the-things-we-don-t-really-understand-it/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) > [Men sometimes have strange motives for the things they do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-reeves/men-sometimes-have-strange-motives-for-the-things-they-do/) [Michael Reeves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-reeves/) > [Men are intrigued by anything they do not completly control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherry-argov/men-are-intrigued-by-anything-they-do-not-completly-control/) [Sherry Argov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherry-argov/) > [Men love to wonder, and that is the seed of science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/men-love-to-wonder-and-that-is-the-seed-of-science/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## More by Robert Kennedy > [Wars of any magnitude release powerful social and economic forces which can change the whole face of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/wars-of-any-magnitude-release-powerful-social-and-economic-forces/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [If freedom makes social progress possible, so social progress strengthens and enlarges freedom. The two are inseparable partners in the great adventure of humanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/if-freedom-makes-social-progress-possible-so-social-progress/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [Goethe tells us in his greatest poem that Faust lost the liberty of his soul when he said to the passing moment, 'Stay, thou…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/goethe-tells-us-in-his-greatest-poem-that-faust-lost-the-liberty-of/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [The intolerant man will not rely on persuasion, or on the worth of the idea. He would deny to others the very freedom of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/the-intolerant-man-will-not-rely-on-persuasion-or-on-the-worth-of-the/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [Let us dedicate ourselves to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago: to tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/let-us-dedicate-ourselves-to-what-the-greeks-wrote-so-many-years-ago/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [President Kennedy's election was such an enlargement. It expanded religious freedom to include the highest office in the land. President Kennedy's administration was such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/president-kennedy-s-election-was-such-an-enlargement-it-expanded/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [Men and women with freed minds may often be mistaken, but they are seldom fooled. They may be influenced, but they cannot be intimidated.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/men-and-women-with-freed-minds-may-often-be-mistaken-but-they-are/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [Prejudice exists and probably will continue to 'but we have tried to make progress and we are making progress. We are not going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/prejudice-exists-and-probably-will-continue-to-but-we-have-tried-to/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [Too much and too long, we seem to have surrendered community excellence and community values in the mere accumulation of material things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/too-much-and-too-long-we-seem-to-have-surrendered-community/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [In the final analysis, poverty is a condition of helplessness - of inability to cope with the conditions of existence in our complex society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/in-the-final-analysis-poverty-is-a-condition-of-helplessness-of/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [We know that we cannot live together without rules which tell us what is right and what is wrong, what is permitted and what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/we-know-that-we-cannot-live-together-without-rules-which-tell-us-what/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [Punishment is not prevention. History offers cold comfort to those who think grievance and despair can be subdued by force.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/punishment-is-not-prevention-history-offers-cold-comfort-to-those-who/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [The travail of freedom and justice is not easy, but nothing serious and important in life is easy. The history of humanity has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/the-travail-of-freedom-and-justice-is-not-easy-but-nothing-serious/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [The Gross National Product measures neither our wit nor our courage, neither our wisdom nor our learning, neither our compassion nor our devotion to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/the-gross-national-product-measures-neither-our-wit-nor-our-courage/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [Our future may lie beyond our vision, but it is not completely beyond our control. It is the shaping impulse of America that neither…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/our-future-may-lie-beyond-our-vision-but-it-is-not-completely-beyond/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) [Explore all 186 Robert Kennedy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) ## More Asks quotes > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/) [Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/) > [I don't wear a watch because I want my arms to weigh the same. So if somebody asks me what time it is, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-hedberg/i-don-t-wear-a-watch-because-i-want-my-arms-to-weigh-the-same-so-if/) [Mitch Hedberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-hedberg/) > [I am a practicing Catholic, but my lineage is Jewish, so if someone asks me if I'm Jewish, I say yes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neve-campbell/i-am-a-practicing-catholic-but-my-lineage-is-jewish-so-if-someone/) [Neve Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neve-campbell/) > [Freedom in every sense but primarily political sense, a rise in repression that stems from a repression of sexuality. It's AIDS, it's herpes, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicholson/freedom-in-every-sense-but-primarily-political-sense-a-rise-in/) [Jack Nicholson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicholson/) > [Why did Erich von Stronheim leave Germany? Why did Hitchcock leave England? If you were a director you'd like to work in Hollywood too.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roman-polanski/why-did-erich-von-stronheim-leave-germany-why-did-hitchcock-leave/) [Roman Polanski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roman-polanski/) > [There is nothing more I ask of this life than this moment, exactly so. And suddenly forever seems like too short a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-andreas/there-is-nothing-more-i-ask-of-this-life-than-this-moment-exactly-so/) [Brian Andreas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-andreas/) > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [The most fundamental question we can ever ask ourselves is whether or not the universe we live in is friendly or hostile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-most-fundamental-question-we-can-ever-ask-ourselves-is-whether-or/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The rich people are apparently leaving America. They're giving up their citizenship. These great lovers of America who made their money in this country-when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/the-rich-people-are-apparently-leaving-america-they-re-giving-up/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [There is a way to be a woman, ask for what we deserve and be able to negotiate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/there-is-a-way-to-be-a-woman-ask-for-what-we-deserve-and-be-able-to/) [Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) > [For someone to ask 'Who did you play for' and to be able to answer a single name 'Liverpool' that would be brilliant...I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-carragher/for-someone-to-ask-who-did-you-play-for-and-to-be-able-to-answer-a/) [Jamie Carragher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-carragher/) > [I have no hesitation in saying that although the American woman never leaves her domestic sphere and is in some respects very dependent within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/i-have-no-hesitation-in-saying-that-although-the-american-woman-never/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [Ask God for temp'rance. That's th' appliance only Which your disease requires.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/ask-god-for-temp-rance-that-s-th-appliance-only-which-your-disease/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [I don't know how to say it exactly. Only...I want to die as myself. Does that make any sense?' he asks. I shake my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-don-t-know-how-to-say-it-exactly-only-i-want-to-die-as-myself-does/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Physicist Isador Isaac Rabi, who won a Nobel Prize for inventing a technique that permitted scientists to probe the structure of atoms and molecules…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-saul-wurman/physicist-isador-isaac-rabi-who-won-a-nobel-prize-for-inventing-a/) [Richard Saul Wurman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-saul-wurman/) Browse all 7,138 Asks quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Some men see what is, and ask 'Why?' 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