• how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge

    Seemingly a proverbial expression, this phrase bears a strong resemblance to the Archangel
    Raphael's injunction to Adam at the conclusion of his survey of God's newly created
    universe:

    Solicit not thy thoughts with matters hid;
    Leave them to God above; him serve, and fear!
    Of other creatures, as him pleases best,
    Wherever placed, let him dispose; joy thou
    In what he gives to thee, this Paradise
    And thy fair Eve; Heaven is for thee too high
    To know what passes there; be lowly wise:
    Think only what concerns thee, and thy being;
    Dream not of other worlds, what creatures there
    Live, in what state, condition, or degree;
    Contented that thus far hath been revealed
    Not of Earth only, but of highest Heaven.
    -- Paradise Lost, VIII.167-178