John Ciardi Quotes

An interest in ideas is a sign of human life. People are fascinated by what the future is going to be - and the future is going to be an accumulation of ideas.

I can't imagine not being in a phase where I'm trying to understand something or create something. That's the essence of life.

Ideas come from curiosity.

The old adage is, 'Write what you know.' But if you only do that, your work becomes claustrophobic. I say, 'Write what you want to know.'

Of course, there will always be those who look only at technique, who ask 'how', while others of a more curious nature will ask 'why'. Personally, I have always preferred inspiration to information.

I feel so free and open to ideas, and I get inspired by everything.

Science does not know its debt to imagination.

Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world

People ask me, 'Don't you ever run out of ideas?' Well, on the first place, I don't use ideas. Every time I have an idea, it's too limiting and usually turns out to be a disappointment. But I haven't run out of curiosity.

A lot of our creative flow comes from a place of curiosity and exploration. It often feels like we're excavating and asking questions and not just giving answers but really just exploring.

Curiosity is thought on its entering edge.

I'm interested in new worlds, new universes, new challenges. I always said the only reason to make a film is not for the result but for what you learn for the next one.

Education is the foundation for all we do in life, it shapes who we are and what we aspire to be. Creativity fuels innovation, and it's what all states should strive to instill in the next generations.

I think I've always been slightly addicted to not repeating myself. When you're doing something the first time around, it's often the best time. I think 'Blank Project' is about carrying on. Its that thing where you're making something because you have to, but you don't know how or why.

We will always have more to discover, more to invent, more to understand and that's much closer to art and literature than any science.

The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.

Curiosity is free-wheeling intelligence.

What drove me and kept me going over the decades? If I had to use a single word, it would be 'curiosity.'

Where there is an open mind, there will always be a frontier.

I have so many themes I want to explore, so many questions I'd like to raise and develop, and hopefully, I'll get to do just that.

The great thing about books is that you can end with a question mark.

Science is not only a disciple of reason but, also, one of romance and passion.

Reading has been the fuel of my motivation: it has changed the direction in which I have traveled, and it has enhanced my creative imagination more than any other activity I have ever pursued.

If you're trying to be more creative, one of the most important things you can do is increase the volume and diversity of the information to which you are exposed.

The most inspiring objects are books. I have about 5,000 volumes in my home library. It's an unending source of visuals and ideas.