Curiosity Quote by Sue Johnson
““Curiosity comes out of a sense of safety; rigidity out of being vigilant to threats.””
About This Quote
Feeling safe encourages curiosity while constant vigilance creates rigidity.
In simple terms: Safety fuels curiosity; threat fuels rigidity.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate safety to inspire curiosity.
Themes
psychology
relationships
growth
Mood
thoughtful
encouraging
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- team meetings
- creative brainstorming
- conflict resolution
- teaching
- parenting
Key Concepts
attachment theory
emotional safety
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you create a safe environment for curiosity?
- What threats are you responding to?
A Different Perspective
If underlying threats exist, curiosity may still be suppressed.
![“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)
![“[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)
![“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)