more on this theme | more from this thinker | more from this text
Full Idea
Investigators of knowledge ...have regularly presupposed that the salvation of humanity depended on insight into the origin of things. ...but with insight into origin comes the increasing insignificance of origin.
Gist of Idea
Enquirers think finding our origin is salvation, but it turns out to be dull
Source
Friedrich Nietzsche (Dawn (Daybreak) [1881], 044)
Book Ref
Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'Dawn (Daybreak) (v 5)', ed/tr. Smith, Brittain [Stanford 2011], p.36
A Reaction
This sounds like the etymological fallacy, of thinking that the origin of a word gives you a true grasp of its meaning.