The face of nature becomes indifferent to him as it grows familiar. He sees in it always the same order, the same successions: he has not understanding enough to wonder at the greatest miracles; nor is it in his mind that we can expect to find that philosophy man needs, if he is to know how to notice for once what he sees every day.
 Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Discourse on the Origin of Inequality Among Men (1755). copy citation

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Author Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Source Discourse on the Origin of Inequality Among Men
Topic philosophy understanding
Date 1755
Language English
Reference
Note Translated by G. D. H. Cole
Weblink https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Discourse_on_the_Origin_of_Inequality_Amo...

Context

“his heart makes no demands on him. His few wants are so readily supplied, and he is so far from having the knowledge which is needful to make him want more, that he can have neither foresight nor curiosity. The face of nature becomes indifferent to him as it grows familiar. He sees in it always the same order, the same successions: he has not understanding enough to wonder at the greatest miracles; nor is it in his mind that we can expect to find that philosophy man needs, if he is to know how to notice for once what he sees every day. His soul, which nothing disturbs, is wholly wrapped up in the feeling of its present existence, without any idea of the future, however near at hand; while his projects, as limited as his views, hardly extend to the close of day.” source