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Curiosity is insubordination in its purest form.

— Vladimir Nabokov Reading Lolita in Tehran (2003)

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Curiosity

More quotes by Vladimir Nabokov

I think like a genius, I write like a distinguished author, I speak like a child.

Strong Opinions (1973)

What is this jest in majesty? This ass in passion? How do God and Devil combine to form a live dog?

In due time history will have denounced everybody.

Pale Fire (1962)

Whenever in my dreams, I see the dead, they always appear silent, bothered, strangely depressed, quite unlike their dear bright selves.

Speak, Memory (1951)

The distinct feature of everything extant is its monotony.

All Vladimir Nabokov quotes →

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The basic drive behind real philosophy is curiosity about the world, not interest in the writings of philosophers.

Bryan Magee Confessions of a Philosopher (1997)

Curiosity is one of the permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect.

Samuel Johnson The Rambler (1750)

My brain, otherwise a sound instrument, has a serious defect—a hypertrophied lobe of curiosity.

Jack Vance The Many Worlds of Magnus Ridolph (1966)

Curiosity will conquer fear even more than bravery will.

James Stephens

Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Vladimir Nabokov (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.