Curiosity Quote by Robert Wright
““The gratification of curiosity rather frees us from uneasiness than confers pleasure; we are more pained by ignorance than delighted by instruction.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Moral Landscape by Sam Harris, 2010
The quote suggests that satisfying curiosity eases discomfort more than it brings joy, and that ignorance causes more pain than learning brings happiness.
In simple terms: Curiosity eases uneasiness; ignorance hurts more than learning helps.
Key Takeaway
Seek knowledge to reduce discomfort.
Themes
curiosity
knowledge
comfort
pain
learning
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- education
- personal growth
- decision making
- problem solving
Key Concepts
philosophy
psychology
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- What does your curiosity reveal about your fears?
- How can you turn discomfort into motivation?
A Different Perspective
Learning can be effortful and may reveal unsettling truths.
![“We have no clear ideas of the agency of [demonic] spirits, nor is it necessary. The Scripture says little to satisfy our curiosity; but tells us plainly that he is always watching us, and desiring to sift us as wheat. I believe we give him no more than his due, when we charge him with having a…” quote by John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c75/john-newton-6629_abundance_we-have-no-clear-ideas-of-the-agency-of_2907.jpg)
![“[T]he question "What is everything?" has no meaning, even though it seems to be profound. [...] The point is, perhaps, that I am not looking for a verbal answer, just as when I ask for a kiss, I do not want a piece of paper with "A kiss" written on it. It is rather that metaphysical wonder looks…” quote by Alan W. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/705/alan-w-watts-9497_curiosity_t-he-question-what-is-everything-has-no_3984.jpg)
![“By profession a biologist, [Thomas Henry Huxley] covered in fact the whole field of the exact sciences, and then bulged through its four fences. Absolutely nothing was uninteresting to him. His curiosity ranged from music to theology and from philosophy to history. He didn't simply know something…” quote by H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f46/h-l-mencken-245_absolutely-nothing_by-profession-a-biologist-thomas-henry-h_5368.jpg)
