“Cure sometimes, treat often, comfort always.”
- c. 460 BC – c. 370 BC
- Greek
- Physician, “Father of Medicine”
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Quote
“Cure sometimes, treat often, comfort always.”
Explanation
This quote, while widely attributed to Hippocrates, does not appear in any authentic surviving works of his or within the Hippocratic Corpus. It is more accurately described as a modern summary of enduring medical wisdom, possibly influenced by the ideals of Hippocratic medicine but not verifiably stated by Hippocrates himself.
The sentiment it expresses, however, is deeply consistent with ancient Greek medical philosophy. In an era where cures were rare and medical knowledge limited, physicians focused more on managing symptoms, prolonging life, and relieving suffering. The emphasis on comforting the patient—psychologically and physically—was a central part of early medicine, where bedside manner and the relationship between healer and patient carried great weight.
Today, the phrase continues to resonate in contexts such as palliative care and chronic illness, where healing may no longer be possible, but relief and dignity can still be preserved. Whether spoken by Hippocrates or not, the idea that compassion and presence are always available, even when a cure is not, remains a core principle of ethical medicine.
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