Curiosity Quote by Thomas Aquinas
“Wonder is the desire for knowledge.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Summa Theologica, 1265–1274
A deep curiosity drives the pursuit of understanding and truth.
In simple terms: Curiosity fuels learning.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate wonder to seek knowledge.
Themes
curiosity
learning
philosophy
Mood
inquisitive
motivated
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- Education
- research
- personal growth
- scientific inquiry
Key Concepts
Epistemology
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- What topics spark your deepest curiosity?
- How can you turn wonder into disciplined study?
A Different Perspective
Wonder alone does not guarantee accurate knowledge.
![“Wonder is defined by Thomas [Aquinas] in the Summa Theologiae [I-II, Q. 32, a. 8], as the desiderium sciendi, the desire for knowledge, active longing to know.” quote by Josef Pieper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ffe/josef-pieper-11414_active_wonder-is-defined-by-thomas-aquinas-in-t_3069488.jpg)
![“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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/79f/thomas-aquinas-837_arise_wonder-admiratio-astonishment-marvel-is_1916754.jpg)
![“By the divine providence [animals] are intended for man's use... Hence it is not wrong for man to make use of them, either by killing or in any other way whatsoever.” quote by Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f48/thomas-aquinas-837_animal_by-the-divine-providence-animals-are-int_112669.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)
![“[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)
