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Arise Quote by Thomas Aquinas

“Wonder [admiratio astonishment, marvel] is a kind of desire for knowledge. The situation arises when one sees an effect and does not know its cause, or when the cause of the particular effect is one that exceeds his power of understanding. Hence, wonder is a cause of pleasure insofar as there is…” quote by Thomas Aquinas
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“Wonder [admiratio astonishment, marvel] is a kind of desire for knowledge. The situation arises when one sees an effect and does not know its cause, or when the cause of the particular effect is one that exceeds his power of understanding. Hence, wonder is a cause of pleasure insofar as there is annexed the hope of attaining understanding of that which one wants to know. ... For desire is especially aroused by the awareness of ignorance, and consequently a man takes the greatest pleasure in those things which he discovers for himself or learns from the ground up.”

Thomas Aquinas

About This Quote

Source Summa Theologiae, Part I, Question 12, Article 1

Wonder arises when we encounter something unknown, prompting a desire to understand and a pleasure in learning.

In simple terms: Wonder is curiosity about the unknown that drives learning.

Key Takeaway

Embrace curiosity to seek understanding.

Themes

curiosity knowledge pleasure ignorance desire

Mood

inquisitive hopeful

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • education
  • scientific research
  • personal growth
  • problem solving

Key Concepts

philosophy theology epistemology

Questions to Reflect On

  • What unknown sparks your curiosity?
  • How can you turn confusion into learning?
A Different Perspective

Wonder may lead to frustration if answers remain elusive.

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