Love built on beauty, soon as beauty, dies.
I observe the physician with the same diligence as the disease.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects the importance of understanding both the healer and the ailment for a complete perspective on health.
In this quote, John Donne emphasizes the significance of closely studying both the physician and the disease they treat. This suggests that true understanding of health and healing comes not just from examining the illness itself but also recognizing the role and approach of the caregiver. By observing the physician as diligently as the disease, one can gain insights into the healing process, balancing the study of both entities for a more holistic comprehension of health.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be delivered during a medical conference to emphasize the relationship between doctors and their patients.
More from John Donne
All quotes βReason is our soul's left hand, Faith her right, By these we reach divinity
All occasions invite His mercies, and all times are His seasons.
If poisonous minerals, and if that tree, Whose fruit threw death on else immortal us, If lecherous goats, if serpents envious Cannot be damned; alas; why should I be?
Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.
I call not that virginity a virtue, which resideth onely in the bodies integrity; much less if it be with a purpose of perpetually keeping it: for then it is a most inhumane vice. - But I call that Virginity a virtue which is willing and desirous to yield it self upon honest and lawfull terms, when just reason requireth; and until then, is kept with a modest chastity of body and mind.
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Simplicity is the most deceitful mistress that ever betrayed man.
'Therefore' is a word the poet must not know.
In the Cross is salvation; in the Cross is life; in the Cross is protection against our enemies; in the Cross is infusion of heavenly sweetness; in the Cross is strength of mind; in the Cross is joy of spirit; in the Cross is excellence of virtue; in the Cross is perfection of holiness. There is no salvation of soul, nor hope of eternal life, save in the Cross.
Live for this life as though you live in it forever and live for the life to come as though you die tomorrow.
The very spot where grew the bread that formed my bones, I see. How strange, old field, on thee to tread, and feel I'm part of thee.
It was childish to feel disappointed, but childishness comes almost as naturally to a man as to a child.