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100+ Timeless Hippocrates Quotes: Discover the Wisdom of Medical History

hippocrates quotes

The wisdom of Hippocrates, often hailed as the "Father of Medicine," transcends time and remains relevant in today's world. This article delves into various aspects of his quotes, encapsulating principles of health, ethics, and personal growth. Through ten succinct sections, you'll find twelve insightful quotes under each subtitle. This collection not only honors Hippocrates' legacy but also provides timeless guidance that can be applied to modern life, offering both philosophical and practical perspectives. Whether you are seeking wisdom in healing arts or personal well-being, this journey through Hippocratic quotes will enrich your understanding and provide meaningful reflections.

Quotes on Health and Medicine

  • "Let food be thy medicine, and let medicine be thy food."
  • "Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease."
  • "The greatest medicine of all is teaching people how not to need it."
  • "Walking is man’s best medicine."
  • "All disease begins in the gut."
  • "If you are not your own doctor, you are a fool."
  • "A wise man ought to realize that health is his most valuable possession."
  • "Whenever a doctor cannot do good, he must be kept from doing harm."
  • "Cure sometimes, treat often, comfort always."
  • "Extreme remedies are very appropriate for extreme diseases."
  • "Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity."
  • "To do nothing is sometimes a good remedy."
  • Quotes on Ethics and Professionalism

  • "First, do no harm."
  • "Science is the father of knowledge, but opinion breeds ignorance."
  • "As to diseases, make a habit of two things: to help, or at least, to do no harm."
  • "Wherever the art of Medicine is loved, there is also a love of Humanity."
  • "The life so short, the craft so long to learn."
  • "It is more important to know what sort of person has a disease than to know what sort of disease a person has."
  • "There are in fact two things, science and opinion; the former begets knowledge, the latter ignorance."
  • "Make a habit of two things: to help; or at least to do no harm."
  • "Everything in excess is opposed to nature."
  • "Primum non nocere"—First, do no harm, the core of medical ethics.
  • "The physician must resemble a botanist who trudges through the field, repeatedly searching and comparing what they observe."
  • "Prayer indeed is good, but while calling on the gods a man should himself lend a hand."
  • Quotes on Understanding and Observation

  • "Observe all and remember it."
  • "Out of sight, out of mind."
  • "Experience does not err; only your judgment errs by expecting from her what is not in her power."
  • "There are in fact two things, science and opinion; the former begets knowledge, the latter ignorance."
  • "Healing is not only a matter of technique, but of discerning the invisible."
  • "The natural healing force within each of us is the greatest force in getting well."
  • "In all abundance there is lack of understanding."
  • "Listen to your patient; they are telling you the diagnosis."
  • "Sometimes it's better to know when to quit rather than to try and try again."
  • "Where there is love of medicine, there is love of humankind."
  • "A doctor does not work by sight only, but by understanding the unseen."
  • "Our food should be our medicine and our medicine should be our food."
  • Quotes on Knowledge and Wisdom

  • "Make a habit of two things: to help; or at least to do no harm."
  • "There is one common flow, one common breathing, all things are in sympathy."
  • "The natural healing force within each of us is the greatest force in getting well."
  • "Science is the father of knowledge, but opinion breeds ignorance."
  • "A wise man should consider that health is the greatest of human blessings."
  • "It is far more important to know what person the disease has than what disease the person has."
  • "The physician should not treat the disease but the patient who is suffering from it."
  • "When a doctor does go wrong, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge."
  • "The art is long, life is short, opportunity fleeting, experience treacherous, judgment difficult."
  • "In whatever part of the body excess of heat or cold are found, disease of that place is to be apprehended."
  • "To do nothing sometimes is a good remedy."
  • "Of several remedies, the physician should choose the least sensational."
  • Quotes on Compassion and Sympathy

  • "As to diseases, make a habit of two things—to help, or at least to do no harm."
  • "It is much more important to know what sort of patient has a disease than what sort of disease a patient has."
  • "Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is love of humanity."
  • "A physician without a knowledge of Astrology has no right to call himself a physician."
  • "He who wishes to be a surgeon should go to war."
  • "There are in fact two things, science and opinion; the former begets knowledge, the latter ignorance."
  • "Prayer indeed is good, but, while calling on the gods, a man should himself lend a hand."
  • "Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity."
  • "Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease."
  • "Where there is love of medicine, there is love of humankind."
  • "In medicine, must the ear be present and the sympathy strong."
  • "Listen to the patient; they are telling you the diagnosis."
  • Quotes on Balance and Moderation

  • "Everything in excess is opposed to nature."
  • "Health is the greatest of human blessings."
  • "If we could give every individual the right amount of nourishment and exercise, not too little and not too much, we would have found the safest way to health."
  • "Let food be thy medicine and let medicine be thy food."
  • "Our food should be our medicine and our medicine should be our food."
  • "Extreme remedies are very appropriate for extreme diseases."
  • "Make a habit of two things: to help; or at least to do no harm."
  • "Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity."
  • "There are in fact two things, science and opinion; the former begets knowledge, the latter ignorance."
  • "The art of healing comes from nature, not from the physician. Therefore, the physician must start from nature, with an open mind."
  • "The life so short, the craft so long to learn."
  • "Remember: your seven-year mobile account won’t grow with your business without balanced updates."
  • Quotes on Nature and Healing

  • "Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease."
  • "The art of healing comes from nature, not from the physician."
  • "Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity."
  • "Everything in excess is opposed to nature."
  • "God cures, and the doctor sends the bill."
  • "Walking is man’s best medicine."
  • "Let food be thy medicine and let medicine be thy food."
  • "If we could give every individual the right amount of nourishment and exercise, not too little and not too much, we would have found the safest way to health."
  • "The natural healing force within each of us is the greatest force in getting well."
  • "It is nature which heals the sick through the doctor."
  • "Nature itself is the best physician."
  • "The natural force within us is the true healer of disease."
  • Quotes on Perseverance and Patience

  • "Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity."
  • "Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out."
  • "To do nothing is sometimes a good remedy."
  • "Extreme remedies are very appropriate for extreme diseases."
  • "The life so short, the craft so long to learn."
  • "If you are not your own doctor, you are a fool."
  • "The natural healing force within each of us is the greatest force in getting well."
  • "Listen to the patient; they are telling you the diagnosis."
  • "Nature itself is the best physician."
  • "In whatever part of the body excess of heat or cold are found, disease of that place is to be apprehended."
  • "Even when all is known, the care of a man is not yet complete."
  • "Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity."
  • Quotes on Education and Learning

  • "The life so short, the craft so long to learn."
  • "Experience does not err; only your judgment errs by expecting from her what is not in her power."
  • "Make a habit of two things: to help; or at least to do no harm."
  • "The art is long, life is short, opportunity fleeting, experience treacherous, judgment difficult."
  • "Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is love of humanity."
  • "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest."
  • "Science is the father of knowledge, but opinion breeds ignorance."
  • "Out of sight, out of mind."
  • "Remember: your seven-year mobile account won’t grow with your business without balanced updates."
  • "It is nature which heals the sick through the doctor."
  • "In whatever part of the body excess of heat or cold are found, disease of that place is to be apprehended."
  • "To study the phenomena of disease without books is to sail an uncharted sea, while to study books without patients is not to go to sea at all."
  • Quotes on Courage and Strength

  • "Walking is man’s best medicine."
  • "Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease."
  • "A wise man ought to realize that health is his most valuable possession."
  • "The natural healing force within each of us is the greatest force in getting well."
  • "Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is love of humanity."
  • "Extreme remedies are very appropriate for extreme diseases."
  • "If you are not your own doctor, you are a fool."
  • "In whatever part of the body excess of heat or cold are found, disease of that place is to be apprehended."
  • "Cure sometimes, treat often, comfort always."
  • "The life so short, the craft so long to learn."
  • "Prayer indeed is good, but, while calling on the gods, a man should himself lend a hand."
  • "As to diseases, make a habit of two things—to help, or at least to do no harm."
  • Final words

    Hippocrates' enduring legacy is a testament to his profound understanding of medicine, human nature, and the world at large. His quotes offer a window into the principles of balance, observation, compassion, and ethics, which are just as pertinent now as they were centuries ago. Reflecting on these thoughts, one is reminded of the importance of a holistic approach to life and well-being. The synthesis of science and humanity in his teachings emphasizes the need for empathy, self-awareness, and continuous learning. As we conclude this journey through Hippocrates' quotes, we are reminded to apply these ancient truths to enrich our daily lives and cultivate a healthier, more balanced existence.

    Explore over 100 insightful quotes by Hippocrates, the father of medicine, and uncover ancient wisdom that still influences modern health practices today. Perfect for inspiration and reflection on timeless medical principles.

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