“I was awfully curious to find out why I didn’t go insane.”
- April 1, 1908 – June 8, 1970
- American
- Psychologist, Creator of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Humanistic Psychology Pioneer
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Quote
“I was awfully curious to find out why I didn’t go insane.”
Explanation
In this brief but revealing statement, Abraham Maslow reflects on his own psychological resilience, hinting at the emotional intensity and adversity of his early life. Rather than taking his mental stability for granted, he approaches it with genuine curiosity, asking why he remained intact while others might have broken under similar circumstances. This introspective question embodies Maslow’s deep concern with mental health, inner strength, and the conditions that foster psychological well-being.
Maslow’s early years were marked by isolation, cultural marginalization, and family difficulties, experiences that easily could have led to emotional collapse. But instead of succumbing, he developed a strong internal drive for understanding human nature. This personal inquiry likely fueled his professional interest in psychological health, not merely illness. Rather than asking why people are sick, Maslow turned his focus to why some people thrive, giving rise to his groundbreaking work on self-actualization and human potential.
Today, this quote resonates with anyone who has faced trauma or hardship yet emerged with clarity or purpose. It reflects a broader shift in psychology—from viewing people as victims of pathology to exploring resilience, recovery, and post-traumatic growth. Maslow’s curiosity became the seed of a new perspective in psychology: one that seeks not only to heal but to understand what makes human beings whole, strong, and capable of transcendence.
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