“Everything in excess is opposed to nature.”
- c. 460 BC – c. 370 BC
- Greek
- Physician, “Father of Medicine”
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Quote
“Everything in excess is opposed to nature.”
Explanation
This quote is consistent with the philosophical and medical teachings of Hippocrates, particularly his emphasis on balance and moderation as central to health. Although the exact wording does not appear in the Hippocratic Corpus, the principle aligns with key Hippocratic ideas—especially the belief that disease arises when the natural equilibrium of the body is disturbed.
Hippocratic medicine was grounded in the theory of the four humors—blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile—whose balance ensured health. Too much or too little of any humor could cause illness. Thus, the idea that “everything in excess is opposed to nature” reflects the medical ethos of restoring harmony within the body. This approach was not only physiological but also ethical and lifestyle-oriented: diet, exercise, sleep, and emotional restraint were all governed by the pursuit of balance.
In modern terms, the quote retains powerful relevance. Overindulgence—whether in food, stress, medication, or activity—often leads to health problems such as obesity, burnout, or addiction. The wisdom in this phrase reminds us that living in harmony with our natural limits—biological, emotional, and environmental—is still fundamental to well-being, even in an age of technological medicine.
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