Curiosity is only vanity. Most frequently we wish not to know, but to talk. We would not take a sea voyage for the sole pleasure of seeing without hope of ever telling.

Summary

This quote suggests that curiosity is often fueled by vanity and the desire to engage in conversation rather than a genuine thirst for knowledge. It implies that people are not primarily motivated by the acquisition of information, but by the opportunity to share what they have learned. The quote further emphasizes that the pleasure derived from a voyage or experience is often linked to the anticipation of being able to recount and communicate it to others.

Topics