Hippocrates Quotes Proverbs, and Aphorisms
- c. 460 BC – c. 370 BC
- Greek
- Physician, “Father of Medicine”
Hippocrates was an ancient Greek physician often regarded as the “Father of Medicine” for establishing medicine as a profession distinct from superstition and magic. He promoted the idea that diseases had natural causes and should be treated through observation, diet, and rest, laying the groundwork for clinical practice. Attributed to him is the Hippocratic Oath, a code of medical ethics still referenced in modern medicine. Though much of the Hippocratic Corpus was likely written by his followers, his influence shaped centuries of medical thought. While limited by the science of his time, Hippocrates remains a lasting symbol of medical integrity, rational diagnosis, and ethical care.
- “There are in fact two things, science and opinion; the former begets knowledge, the latter ignorance.”
- “Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity.”
- “Cure sometimes, treat often, comfort always.”
- “A physician without a knowledge of Astrology has no right to call himself a physician.”
- “Everything in excess is opposed to nature.”
- “The art is long, life is short.”
- “It’s far more important to know what person the disease has than what disease the person has.”
- “To do nothing is also a good remedy.”
- “Extreme remedies are very appropriate for extreme diseases.”
- “Whenever a doctor cannot do good, he must be kept from doing harm.”
- “Walking is man’s best medicine.”
- “Prayer indeed is good, but while calling on the gods a man should himself lend a hand.”
- “Many admire, few know.”
- “A wise man should consider that health is the greatest of human blessings, and learn how by his own thought to derive benefit from his illnesses.”
- “Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity.”
- “Make a habit of two things: to help; or at least to do no harm.”
- “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”
- “Keep a watch also on the faults of the patients, which often make them lie about the taking of things prescribed.”
- “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 life so short, the craft so long to learn.”
- “What medicines do not heal, the lance will; what the lance does not heal, fire will.”
- “Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease.”
- “It is more important to know what sort of person has a disease than to know what sort of disease a person has.”
- “Life is short, the art long.”
- “The chief virtue that language can have is clearness, and nothing detracts from it so much as the use of unfamiliar words.”
- “Science is the father of knowledge, but opinion breeds ignorance.”