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One of the first duties of the physician is to educate the masses not to take medicine.
William Osler
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Physicians should prioritize educating people about health over simply prescribing medication.

William Osler emphasizes the importance of preventive care and health education, suggesting that a physician's role should involve teaching the public about health and wellness rather than solely providing medical treatments. By fostering a knowledgeable society, physicians can empower individuals to make informed decisions regarding their health and reduce dependency on medication.

Themes

EducationHealthMedicinePreventionAwareness

In practice

Example use cases

In a health seminar, a speaker might use this quote to emphasize the need for preventative education.

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Observe, record, tabulate, communicate. Use your five senses. Learn to see, learn to hear, learn to feel, learn to smell, and know that by practice alone you can become expert.
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No bubble is so iridescent or floats longer than that blown by the successful teacher.
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The young physician starts life with 20 drugs for each disease, and the old physician ends life with one drug for 20 diseases.
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Let each hour of the day have its allotted duty, and cultivate that power of concentration which grows with its exercise.
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Medicine is a science of uncertainty and an art of probability.
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