Curiosity killed the cat
Meaning: Being too inquisitive can lead to trouble.
Origin: The original was "care killed the cat," and care meant worry or sorrow. Ben Jonson's Every Man in His Humour (1598) and Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing (1599) both use it to say that even a cat, with its nine lives, can be fretted to death. "Curiosity" replaced "care" around the turn of the 20th century, moving the warning from worrying to prying; the comeback "but satisfaction brought it back" is a later addition.
Equivalents in French, Spanish, Japanese, and German
- French: La curiosité est un vilain défaut (literally: Curiosity is an ugly flaw)
- Spanish: La curiosidad mató al gato (literally: Curiosity killed the cat)
- Japanese: 好奇心は猫をも殺す (Kōkishin wa neko wo mo korosu) (literally: Curiosity can even kill a cat)
- German: Neugier ist der Katze Tod (literally: Curiosity is the cat's death)
More proverbs about Human Nature
- The apple doesn't fall far from the tree — Children often resemble their parents.
- Laughter is the best medicine — Humor and joy can help overcome difficulties.
- A watched pot never boils — Time seems to pass slowly when you are waiting.
- Beggars can't be choosers — When you need help, you accept what's offered.
- It takes a village to raise a child — Community support is essential for child development.
- One man's trash is another man's treasure — What one person discards, another may value.
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