Hippocrates Quotes

Greek physician (c. 460 – c. 370 BC)

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Hippocrates (Ἱπποκράτης) of Kos (c. 460 BC - 377 BC) was an ancient Greek physician who is referred to as the "father of medicine".

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Native Name: Ἱπποκράτης

Alternative Names: Hippokrates • Hippokrates of Kos • Hippocrates of Cos • Hippocrates II

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That which is used - develops. That which is not used wastes away.

A wise man should consider that health is the greatest of human blessings, and learn how by his own thought to derive benefit from his illnesses.

Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a mater of opportunity.

The soul is the same in all living creatures, although the body of each is different.

Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease.

If we could give every individual the right amount of nourishment and exercise, not too little and not too much, we would have found the safest way to health.

Extreme remedies are very appropriate for extreme diseases.

The physician must be able to tell the antecedents, know the present, and foretell the future — must mediate these things, and have two special objects in view with regard to disease, namely, to do good or to do no harm.

All parts of the body which have a function, if used in moderation and exercised in labors in which each is accustomed, become thereby healthy, well developed and age more slowly, but if unused they become liable to disease, defective in growth and age quickly.

All disease begins in the gut.

Cure sometimes, treat often and comfort always.

When sleep puts an end to delirium, it is a good symptom.

Eunuchs do not take the gout, nor become bald.

Disease [is] not an entity, but a fluctuating condition of the patient's body, a battle between the substance of disease and the natural self-healing tendency of the body.

For if a man by magical arts and sacrifices will bring down the moon, and darken the sun, and induce storms, or fine weather, I should not believe that there was anything divine, but human, in these things, provided the power of the divine were overpowered by human knowledge and subjected to it.