Curiosity killed the cat; Satisfaction brought it back.
Curiosity killed the cat; Satisfaction brought it back.
Meaning in plain English
The saying first makes curiosity fatal to a cat, then makes satisfaction bring it back. Its second half answers the warning with a playful reversal.
Example
A learner pursues a relevant question while respecting another person’s privacy and the limits of the situation.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
The paired outcomes turn curiosity into a tension between risk and reward. A useful application can distinguish worthwhile inquiry from intrusive or ill-considered action. The supplied gloss covers only the warning and does not explain the revival; neither image supplies a factual safety rule.
When to use it
Use it to explain both the warning and its playful counterstatement.
Keep in mind
Curiosity does not guarantee harm or reward, and the revival is figurative.
Edsverb editorial interpretation · agent reviewed · 2026-10-05. This explains the saying; it does not establish its historical origin.
- Source
- Contributor-provided proverb reference
Supplied reference A; unit 261; PDF page 41
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- traditional · supplied collection
Preserved as printed; independently unverified. - Historical coordinate
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