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Desire, to know why, and how, CURIOSITY; such as is in no living creature but Man; so that Man is distinguished, not only by his Reason; but also by this singular Passion from other Animals; in whom the appetite of food, and other pleasures of Sense, by predominance, take away the care of knowing causes; which is a Lust of the mind, that by a perseverance of delight in the continual and indefatigable generation of Knowledge, exceedeth the short vehemence of any carnal Pleasure.

Thomas Hobbes#13

PhilosophyPsychologyHuman natureCuriosityEducationKnowledge

About this quote

What does it mean?
Human curiosity drives a relentless pursuit of knowledge, setting us apart from animals that are guided by basic appetites.
In plain terms
Curiosity makes people seek knowledge beyond basic needs.
What can you take from it?
Cultivate curiosity to fuel continuous learning.

Where it applies

  • academic research
  • creative problem solving

Putting it to work

  • ask why
  • pursue new ideas

Questions to consider

  • What drives your curiosity?
  • How does curiosity affect your decisions?

Another view

Curiosity can be distracted by immediate pleasures.

More from Thomas Hobbes

  1. Hope For Appetite with an opinion of attaining, is called HOPE. Despaire The same, without such opinion, DESPAIRE.

    Permalink to quote #12
  2. The secret thoughts of a man run over all things, holy, prophane, clean, obscene, grave, and light, without shame, or blame:

    Permalink to quote #14
  3. Sudden glory is the passion which maketh those grimaces called laughter.

    Permalink to quote #11

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