Civilization is first of all a moral thing. Without truth, respect for duty, love of neighbor, and virtue, everything is destroyed. The morality of a society is alone the basis of civilization.
Henri Frederic AmielRead
The ideal doctor would be a man endowed with profound knowledge of life and of the soul, intuitively divining any suffering or disorder of whatever kind, and restoring peace by his mere presence.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A great doctor combines deep knowledge with an understanding of the human condition, providing healing through his presence.
Henri Frederic Amiel's quote emphasizes the ideal qualities of a doctor beyond just technical skills; it highlights the importance of possessing deep wisdom about life and the human soul. An exceptional doctor should intuitively sense the suffering of their patients and offer healing simply by being present, suggesting that empathy and connection are as crucial as medical expertise in the healing process.
Themes
DoctorHealingWisdomEmpathyPresence
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about holistic medicine, one might quote this to illustrate the importance of empathy in healthcare.
More from Henri Frederic Amiel
All quotes βMan never knows what he wants; he aspires to penetrate mysteries and as soon as he has, wants to re-establish them. Ignorance irritates him and knowledge cloys.
Henri Frederic AmielRead
Truth is not only violated by falsehood; it may be equally outraged by silence.
Henri Frederic AmielRead
Any landscape is a condition of the spirit.
Henri Frederic AmielRead
True love is that which ennobles the personality, fortifies the heart, and sanctifies the existence.
Henri Frederic AmielRead
It is by teaching that we teach ourselves, by relating that we observe, by affirming that we examine, by showing that we look, by writing that we think, by pumping that we draw water into the well.
Henri Frederic AmielRead
Similar quotes
I have not eaten enough of the tree of knowledge, though in my profession I am obligated to feed on it regularly.
Albert EinsteinRead
Ah! realize your youth while you have it. Donβt squander the gold of your days, listening to the tedious, trying to improve the hopeless failure, or giving away your life to the ignorant, the common, and the vulgar. These are the sickly aims, the false ideals, of our age. Live! Live the wonderful life that is in you! Let nothing be lost upon you. Be always searching for new sensations. Be afraid of nothing.
Oscar WildeRead
Power ceases in the instant of repose; it resides in the moment of transition from a past to a new state, in the shooting of the gulf, in the darting to an aim.
Ralph Waldo EmersonRead
I would advise anyone who aspires to a writing career that before developing his talent he would be wise to develop a thick hide.
Harper LeeRead
If you don't like what you're doing, it's unlikely anyone else will either, so be sure you are happy with your own work first.
Billy WilderRead
Use the time of a total stranger in such a way that he or she will not feel the time was wasted.
Kurt VonnegutRead