Mr. Achievement – Stanley F. Bronstein – Personal Development BlogPersonal Development Blog of the Founder of the Achievement IQ Movement and Creator of the Laws of Positioning

Law #21

Position Yourself To Be Curious

Curiosity is the very basis of education and if you tell me that curiosity killed the cat, I say only the cat died nobly. (Arnold Edinborough)

Some Definitions

Curiosity – The desire to learn or know about anything; inquisitiveness. The state of being eager to learn or know; inquisitive.

Basis – Anything upon which something is based; fundamental principle; groundwork. The principal constituent; fundamental ingredient.

Education – The act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life. The result produced by instruction, training, or study.

Killed – To deprive of life. To tire out completely; exhaust. To put an end to.

Death – The act of dying; the end of life; the total and permanent cessation of all the vital functions of an organism. The state of being dead. Extinction; destruction.

Nobly – Courageously; bravely; gallantly. Splendidly; superbly; magnificently.

Source: Dictionary.com

We Should ALWAYS Try To Learn

That’s what the above quote suggests.  I believe that anyone who is a regular reader of my materials knows that I believe education is KEY.  However, there is a famous quote that practically everyone knows that says “curiosity killed the cat.”.    That quote is basically discouraging people from educating themselves.

Personally, I believe that curiosity NEVER killed anyone.  It’s what we do, with what we learn, that makes the difference.

Human Beings Are Not Cats

While I have nothing against cats (and I actually miss my cat who’s been gone for about 4 years), I happen to believe that most human beings are smarter than most cats.  It’s not the fault of the cat, it’s just simply the way it works.  We have larger brains and we have different capabilities than they have.

To repeat a phrase that says we should not be curious, just because a “cat” couldn’t handle the results, doesn’t necessarily mean that human beings should not be curious because that curiosity will kill them.

To conclude otherwise would be an example of what is known as a logical fallacy.

More Definitions

Logical – Reasoning in accordance with the principles of logic, as a person or the mind.

Fallacy – A deceptive, misleading, or false notion, belief, etc..  A misleading or unsound argument.  Deceptive, misleading, or false nature; erroneousness.

What Am I Suggesting?

I’m suggesting that while curiosity may kill cats, a lack of it kills human beings.

One of the best things we can do is to cultivate and encourage a spirit of curiosity in ourselves AND IN OTHERS AROUND US.

What Do I Mean About OTHERS Around Us?

I mean our friends, our neighbors, our family members AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, our children.  One of the greatest gifts any parent can give their children is to empower them to be curious.  Sure, it might get them in trouble sometimes, BUT it will also help them to become leaders and thinkers – and through that, they will have the ability to accomplish anything they believe in.

As W. Clement Stone said:  Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.

By empowering our children to conceive, and by encouraging them to believe in themselves, there is virtually not limit to what they will be able to achieve.

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