The art of healing comes from nature, not from the physician. Therefore the physician must start from nature, with an open mind.
ParacelsusRead
Man is a microcosm, or a little world, because he is an extract from all the stars and planets of the whole firmament, from the earth and the elements; and so he is their quintessence.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that humans embody the universe's essence and elements.
Paracelsus posits that each person is a small representation of the entire universe, encapsulating its vastness and complexity. By stating that man is a 'microcosm,' he implies that human beings contain a fragment of all celestial bodies and natural elements, highlighting the interconnectedness of humanity with the cosmos and the significance of each individual as a key aspect of a larger whole.
Themes
MicrocosmUniverseInterconnectednessHumanityEssence
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about environmental consciousness, one might say, 'We must remember that man is a microcosm of the universe, and our actions affect the whole.'
More from Paracelsus
All quotes →Know that the philosopher has power over the stars, and not the stars over him.
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The human body is vapor materialized by sunshine mixed with the life of the stars.
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All things are poisons, for there is nothing without poisonous qualities. It is only the dose which makes a thing poison.
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It should be forbidden and severely punished to remove cancer by cutting, burning, cautery, and other fiendish tortures. It is from nature that the disease comes, and from nature comes the cure, not from physicians.
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Life is like music, it must be composed by ear, feeling and instinct, not by rule. Nevertheless one had better know the rules, for they sometimes guide in doubtful cases, though not often.
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