“It is not the answer that enlightens, but the question.”

“We have to acknowledge (to ourselves, at least) that many questions we want the "right" answers to just don't have any. These are the questions about the morality of stem-cell research or abortion or affirmative action or gay marriage or our obligations to future generations. Many enlightened people, including many scientists, think that reasonable people can eventually find the right answers to such questions. Alas, it will turn out that all anyone can really find are the answers that they like.”

Alexander Rosenberg (1946) American philosopher

“There is only one question. And once you know the answer to that question there are no more to ask. That one question is the Original Question. And to that Original Question there is only one Final Answer. But between that Question and its Answer there are innumerable false answers.”

Meher Baba (1894–1969) Indian mystic

“Remember, an easy question can have an easy answer. But a hard question must have a hard answer. And for the hardest questions of all, there may be no answer - except faith.”

Charles Sheffield book Brother to Dragons

“Microsoft is not the answer. Microsoft is the question. NO is the answer.”

Erik Naggum (1965–2009) Norwegian computer programmer

“Questions outlive the answers.”

Elie Wiesel (1928–2016) writer, professor, political activist, Nobel Laureate, and Holocaust survivor

“Questions are great, but only if you know the answers. If you ask questions and the answers surprise you, you look silly.”

Laurell K. Hamilton book Burnt Offerings

“For any picture, ask yourself what question or questions it might be answering. Since the picture could answer many, questions, we can decide what question we are interested in. The picture will, of course, suggest that some questions are likely to find answers in it. For instance, Owens's pictures of pantries and refrigerators clearly suggest that they will answer questions about what kinds of food the inhabitants of the houses store and presumably eat, while other pictures in Suburbia suggest that they will answer other questions about the housekeeping arrangements of these people.”

Howard S. Becker (1928) American sociologist

“But questions that don’t answer themselves at the very moment of their asking are never answered.”

Franz Kafka (1883–1924) author

“I refuse to answer that question on the grounds that I don't know the answer”

Douglas Adams (1952–2001) English writer and humorist