The art is long, life is short
HippocratesRead
Men think epilepsy divine, merely because they do not understand it. We will one day understand what causes it, and then cease to call it divine. And so it is with everything in the universe.
Interpretation
What this quote means
People often attribute divine qualities to what they do not understand, but with knowledge, such notions will fade.
This quote by Hippocrates suggests that many phenomena are mistakenly viewed as supernatural simply because they are not understood by people at that time. As knowledge and scientific understanding grow, beliefs in the divine nature of certain events—such as epilepsy—will diminish, revealing a more rational explanation for those occurrences. This cycle applies to all aspects of the universe, where ignorance breeds myth, and understanding leads to clarity.
Themes
EpilepsyKnowledgeUnderstandingScienceDivine
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech discussing the role of science in society, this quote could emphasize the importance of education in dispelling myths.
More from Hippocrates
All quotes →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.
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That which is used - develops. That which is not used wastes away.
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Cure sometimes, treat often, comfort always.
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Wine is an appropriate article for mankind, both for the healthy body and for the ailing man.
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Walking is man's best medicine.
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