QuoteProject
All things are poisons, for there is nothing without poisonous qualities. It is only the dose which makes a thing poison.
Paracelsus
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Everything has the potential to be harmful depending on the amount consumed or experienced.

This quote by Paracelsus emphasizes the concept that all substances can be considered toxic or harmful, but it is the quantity or dosage that ultimately determines their effect. This idea extends beyond mere substances to include behaviors, emotions, and experiences, suggesting that moderation is key to a balanced and healthy life.

Themes

PoisonDoseBalanceModerationPhilosophy

In practice

Example use cases

This quote could be used in a health seminar to illustrate the importance of moderation in diet and exercise.

More from Paracelsus

The art of healing comes from nature, not from the physician. Therefore the physician must start from nature, with an open mind.
ParacelsusRead
Know that the philosopher has power over the stars, and not the stars over him.
ParacelsusRead
The human body is vapor materialized by sunshine mixed with the life of the stars.
ParacelsusRead
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.
ParacelsusRead
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.
ParacelsusRead
What sense would it make or what would it benfit a physician if he discovered the origin of the diseases but could not cure or alleviate them?
ParacelsusRead

Similar quotes

Man has gone out to explore other worlds and other civilizations without having explored his own labyrinth of dark passages and secret chambers, and without finding what lies behind doorways that he himself has sealed.
Stanislaw LemRead
Let no one delay the study of philosophy while young nor weary of it when old.
EpicurusRead
All the reasonings of men are not worth one sentiment of women.
VoltaireRead
maybe she had become tired of being the girlfriend of a condemned man. It also occured to me that maybe she was sick, or dead. These things happen. [...] Anyway, after that, remembering Marie meant nothing to me. That seemed perfectly normal to me, since I understood very well that people would forget me when I was dead.
Albert CamusRead
For man is a giddy thing, and this is my conclusion.
William ShakespeareRead
Live and die without prayer, and you will pray long enough when you get to hell.
Charles SpurgeonRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.