Amber Quote by Terry Pratchett
“Any sensible ruler would have killed off Leonard, and Lord Vetinari was extremely sensible and often wondered why he had not done so. He'd decided that it was because, imprisoned in the priceless, inquiring amber of Leonard's massive mind, underneath that bright investigative genius was a kind of willful innocence that might in lesser men be called stupidity. It was the seat and soul of that force which, down the millennia, had caused mankind to stick its fingers in the electric light socket of the Universe and play with the switch to see what happened - and then be very surprised when it did.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Discworld series, novel “Going Postal”, 2004
The quote suggests that a ruler's wisdom includes recognizing the value of a seemingly foolish but inquisitive mind, which drives humanity to explore dangerous unknowns.
In simple terms: A ruler should protect a curious mind that can cause risky discoveries.
Key Takeaway
Preserve curiosity even when it seems foolish.
Themes
wisdom
curiosity
leadership
human nature
Mood
thoughtful
ironic
reflective
Type
literary
humorous
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political decisions
- scientific research
- technological development
- education policy
Key Concepts
philosophy
risk
innovation
innocence
Questions to Reflect On
- When does curiosity become harmful?
- How can leaders balance safety and innovation?
A Different Perspective
The quote may overstate the necessity of reckless experimentation for progress.
![“My grandmother used to say that there's something truly intimate about sharing food with the people you love." [Stacey] "Intimate? Sharing food? People you love?" Amber raises an eyebrow. "Um, no offense, Stace, but it sounds like Gram was into food kink.” quote by Laurie Faria Stolarz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d72/laurie-faria-stolarz-10096_amber_my-grandmother-used-to-say-that-there-s_116763.jpg)
