The art of healing comes from nature, not from the physician. Therefore the physician must start from nature, with an open mind.
ParacelsusRead
Medicine is not only a science; it is also an art. It does not consist of compounding pills and plasters; it deals with the very processes of life, which must be understood before they may be guided.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Medicine combines scientific knowledge with artistic insight to understand and guide life processes.
This quote by Paracelsus emphasizes that medicine transcends the mere scientific aspects of treating illness. It is an intricate discipline that requires a deep understanding of life itself, blending both scientific and artistic approaches to effectively heal and care for individuals. The quote conveys the idea that to practice medicine well, one must appreciate the complexities of life rather than just focus on technical skills alone.
Themes
MedicineScienceArtLifeHealing
In practice
Example use cases
In a medical conference, discussing how integrating artistic perspectives can enhance patient care.
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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