Does Curiosity Kill the Cat?

According to Merriam-Webster, curiosity means:

Growing up, my parents often used sayings as teaching tools. They said things like, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness” and “Curiosity killed the cat.” I’m not sure where the sayings came from, but they’re ones you’ve likely heard.

Which begs the question: Is curiosity to be avoided? I don’t think so. Curiosity involves taking risks, no doubt. And taking risks sometimes leads to negative consequences. But often, curiosity opens the door to new opportunities and blessings you could never have anticipated.

Two Curious People Who Changed the World

1. Abraham — The man who helped move an entire group of people for all eternity
2. Neil Armstrong — The first man on the moon

Curiosity Leads to Illumination

Curiosity is important because it has the possibility to lead you to illumination, which is defined as the following:

Curiosity Flourishes When It’s Genuine & Unencumbered by Preconceptions

Curiosity helps scientists solve problems. It allows them to approach specific questions by setting aside emotions and preconceived notions. This same approach can be helpful when it comes to building relationships, doing your work, and building your own character.

Don’t approach others with predetermined ideas of who they are and what they think. Be curious about them and ask questions. True illumination happens when there is genuine interest with no regard to any particular outcome.

3 Tips for the Genuinely Curious (& 1 Pitfall to Avoid)

Learning to be effective with your genuine curiosity is a constant work in progress. I can attest to this personally. The following two tips and pitfalls are things I’ve encountered over the years:

1. Don’t Be Afraid of Silence — I can often squash illumination by talking too much. Embracing my own silence allows me to listen to others.
2. Listen Without Guessing — Don’t guess what someone is going to think or say. Listen to them.
3. Repeat What You Heard Back in Your Own Words — After you’ve listened to what someone has to say, repeat back what you heard in your own words. This is a great way to confirm that you understood their points. It can also help you remember what they said.

The Pitfall: Overdoing It

Even when you have the best of intentions, it’s possible to overdo it. Expressing curiosity can make friends and acquaintances make you feel like you’re intruding. Sometimes, less really is more. And a shorter conversation can lay the groundwork for deeper connections moving forward. 

Remember, listening for illumination is an art and has to come from a heart of love.

This also works in our relationship with Jesus!