“Life is short, the art long.”
- c. 460 BC – c. 370 BC
- Greek
- Physician, “Father of Medicine”
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Quote
“Life is short, the art long.”
Explanation
This quote is a direct translation of the original Hippocratic aphorism, “Vita brevis, ars longa”, from the Aphorismi, one of the foundational texts in the Hippocratic Corpus. It is authentically attributed to Hippocrates and serves as the opening line of that work. In this context, “art” refers specifically to the art of medicine, not to artistic creation in the aesthetic sense.
The aphorism expresses the enduring tension between the brevity of human life and the length and complexity of mastering a discipline as demanding as medicine. Hippocrates was emphasizing that physicians must commit themselves to lifelong learning, as the body of medical knowledge is vast and cannot be fully mastered in a single lifetime. The quote also reflects the humility and urgency with which one must approach the practice of medicine.
Today, the message is still profoundly relevant—not only in medicine but in any serious intellectual or creative pursuit. In a world where rapid outcomes are prized, the quote is a reminder that true expertise takes time, and that life’s fleeting nature makes dedication and focus all the more important. It encourages practitioners to respect the depth of their craft and to make the most of the time they have to serve, study, and grow.
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