“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.”
- c. 460 BC – c. 370 BC
- Greek
- Physician, “Father of Medicine”
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Quote
“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.”
Explanation
This quote is commonly attributed to Hippocrates, and although its exact wording does not appear in the Hippocratic Corpus, it accurately reflects the Hippocratic principles of balance, moderation, and preventive care. Hippocrates placed great importance on diet and physical activity as foundational elements of health, advocating for a regulated lifestyle to maintain the equilibrium of the body’s humors.
The emphasis on “not too little and not too much” exemplifies the Hippocratic idea that excess and deficiency are equally harmful. In ancient Greek medicine, the goal was not to eliminate all symptoms through forceful intervention, but to create and preserve natural harmony in the body through thoughtful living. This approach regarded food and exercise not as separate from medicine, but as its most essential components.
In the modern context, the quote aligns with public health strategies that focus on preventive care through balanced nutrition and regular physical activity. It echoes contemporary guidelines for preventing obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and mental health disorders. Hippocrates’ ancient wisdom still serves as a foundation for today’s holistic view: that true health arises not from pharmaceuticals alone, but from a life lived in balance.
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