Full Idea
By nature, all men long to understand [eidenai]; an indication is their delight in the senses.
Clarification
'Nature' is the Greek word 'physis'
Gist of Idea
All men long to understand, as shown by their delight in the senses
Source
Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], 0980a21)
Book Reference
Aristotle: 'Metaphysics', ed/tr. Lawson-Tancred,Hugh [Penguin 1998], p.4
A Reaction
See Idea 8331 and Idea 12038 to understand what this means. I take it to support the thesis that the aim of philosophy is explanations (at a higher level of generality than the sciences).
Related Ideas
Idea 18226 For Aristotle, contemplation consists purely of understanding [Korsgaard]
Idea 12038 Translate as 'humans all desire by nature to understand' (not as 'to know') [Aristotle, by Annas]
Idea 8331 To know something we need understanding, which is grasp of the primary cause [Aristotle]