“Curiosity killed the cat.” This phrase has always bothered me, as I am a naturally inquisitive person. So imagine my delight in finding that the original phrase in Tudor England was in fact “Care killed the cat”, meaning that worry and sorrow did the animal in. (Source)
So out with worry and in with natural curiosity. Of course, your curiosity can kill other things, like hard drives… or in the case of Simon’s Cat (whom I met on Dagmar’s blog), lamps and curtains. Oh, well, that’s just collateral damage!
2 Responses
There is nothing in our universe without limits. Freedom, love, speed, ……and Curiosity should have limits otherwise it will be harmful for yourself and for others also.
Sometimes we use the right words but with wrong meanings.
That’s an interesting thing about proverbs, they call to mind very different associations. So you are thinking of danger caused by curiosity, both to the perpetrator and to the community…? Whereas I was thinking more of the productive side of curiosity.
As a scientist you may enjoy this quote by Albert Einstein:
“I have no special gift – I am only passionately curious.”
Or, in a more philosophical mood he said:
“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity.”
http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/9316.html