The art is long, life is short
HippocratesRead
The body of man has in itself blood, phlegm, yellow bile and black bile; these make up the nature of this body, and through these he feels pain or enjoys health. Now he enjoys the most perfect health when these elements are duly proportioned to one another in respect of compounding, power and bulk, and when they are perfectly mingled.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the balance of bodily fluids for optimal health.
Hippocrates' quote illustrates the ancient belief in the four humors—blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile—as fundamental to human health. It suggests that perfect health is achieved when these elements are in proper proportion and harmony within the body, reflecting the holistic view of health prevalent in ancient medicine.
Themes
HealthBalanceHumorsWellnessBody
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about holistic health at a wellness conference.
More from Hippocrates
All quotes →That which is used - develops. That which is not used wastes away.
HippocratesRead
Cure sometimes, treat often, comfort always.
HippocratesRead
Wine is an appropriate article for mankind, both for the healthy body and for the ailing man.
HippocratesRead
Walking is man's best medicine.
HippocratesRead
A wise man ought to realize that health is his most valuable possession.
HippocratesRead
Similar quotes
It's not about curing the disease, but healing the life; then the physical benefits come.
Bernie SiegelRead
Mental health can improve overall well-being and prevent other illnesses. And since mental health problems have a serious economic impact on vulnerable communities, making them a priority can save lives and markedly improve people's quality of life.
Vikram PatelRead
Nothing is more fatal to health than an over care of it.
Benjamin FranklinRead
Public health service should be as fully organized and as universally incorporated into our governmental system as is public education. The returns are a thousand fold in economic benefits, and infinitely more in reduction of suffering and promotion of human happiness.
Herbert HooverRead
I am living proof that if you catch prostate cancer early, it can be reduced to a temporary inconvenience, and you can go back to a normal life.
Norman SchwarzkopfRead
A real medicine can only exist when it penetrates into a knowledge which embraces the human being in respect to body, soul and spirit.
Rudolf SteinerRead