Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153):

To desire to know for the purpose of knowing is curiosity.

To desire to know that you may be known is vanity.

To desire to know that you may sell your knowledge is mean trading.

To desire to know that you may be edified is prudence.

To desire to know that you may edify is love.

[1]

Photo taken from the shores of the Ahimsa Sailing Klub Inc in Jervis Bay, where knowledge is sought for a promiscuous mixture of the above 😉

 

[1] quoted in Birch, Charles (1999). Biology and the Riddle of Life. Sydney: UNSW Press. p. 45.