QuoteProject
Declare the past, diagnose the present, foretell the future; practice these acts. _x000D_ As to diseases, make a habit of two things--to help, or at least to do no harm.
Hippocrates
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote emphasizes the importance of understanding the past and present to predict and improve the future, particularly in the context of healing.

Hippocrates' quote highlights the essential practices of reflection, diagnosis, and foresight in any field, especially in medicine. He advocates for a balanced approach to dealing with diseases by either actively helping those in need or ensuring that one's actions do not cause harm, underscoring the ethical responsibility of caregivers.

Themes

PastPresentFutureHealthMedicineResponsibilityEthics

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used in a medical conference to stress the importance of ethical practices.

More from Hippocrates

The art is long, life is short
HippocratesRead
The body of man has in itself blood, phlegm, yellow bile and black bile; these make up the nature of this body, and through these he feels pain or enjoys health. Now he enjoys the most perfect health when these elements are duly proportioned to one another in respect of compounding, power and bulk, and when they are perfectly mingled.
HippocratesRead
That which is used - develops. That which is not used wastes away.
HippocratesRead
Cure sometimes, treat often, comfort always.
HippocratesRead
Wine is an appropriate article for mankind, both for the healthy body and for the ailing man.
HippocratesRead
Walking is man's best medicine.
HippocratesRead

Similar quotes

To confront a person with their own shadow is to show them their own light.
Carl JungRead
Endlessly amused by people's minds.
Daniel KahnemanRead
But Chinese civilization has the overpowering beauty of the wholly other, and only the wholly other can inspire the deepest love and the profoundest desire to learn.
Joseph NeedhamRead
How like fish we are: ready, nay eager, to seize upon whatever new thing some wind of circumstance shakes down upon the river of time! And how we rue our haste, finding the gilded morsel to contain a hook!
Aldo LeopoldRead
Listen to many, speak to a few.
William ShakespeareRead
What seems nasty, painful, evil can become a source of beauty, joy, and strength, if faced with an open mind.
Henry MillerRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.