<P> "Curiosity killed the cat" is a proverb used to warn of the dangers of unnecessary investigation or experimentation . A less frequently - seen rejoinder to "curiosity killed the cat" is "but satisfaction brought it back". </P> <P> The original form of the proverb, now little used, was "Care killed the cat". In this instance, "care" was defined as "worry" or "sorrow ." </P> <P> The earliest printed reference to the original proverb is attributed to the British playwright Ben Jonson in his 1598 play, Every Man in His Humour, which was performed first by William Shakespeare . </P> <P>... Helter skelter, hang sorrow, care will kill a cat, up - tails all, and a pox on the hangman . </P>

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