Curiosity

 NEEDLESS CURIOSITY:

My CHILD, 

Uncontrolled curiosity draws your attention away from your duties and brings needless distractions. 

It can waste a good deal of time and energy which you might use to greater good. 

It leads to pointless visiting and useless conversations. 

It fills the mind with so many empty distraction, which prevent you from freely receiving the holy thoughts and good desires which God sends you throughout the day.

You would have great peace if you were less curious about things which do not concern you. One who is too interested in the sayings and doings of others, becomes forgetful of the glorious ideal which God presents to him - the ideal of pleasing God in all things and thereby gaining eternal life.

Many things occur during the day which do not help you become a better person. What does it matter whether this one has new clothes or that one has failed in some personal projects?

Think of what concerns you, and of any good which you can do for others. Keep your heavenly goal before your mind, as far as your daily occupations will permit. Avoid idle talk and useless activities.

A curious nature, intelligently controlled, has often led men to make great discoveries. Yet, unless curiosity is controlled, it can hurt you forever. 

Your highest interest must be to follow God's Law, and to enter eternal life. 

The less you burden your mind with unnecessary interests, the more you will understand and appreciate your supernatural purpose on earth. 

Too many worldly interest make you forget or disregard your heavenly goal. 

Many sins of omission and carelessness spring from uncontrolled curiosity.

- Fr. Anthony J. Paone SJ

MY DAILY BREAD (1954)