Joseph Lister

I have always striven to be open-minded and to consider new ideas, however unconventional they may seem.

The relief of human suffering is the noblest aim of all medical endeavour.

I am deeply thankful for the opportunity to have made a difference in the lives of so many.

The great principle of antiseptic surgery is to prevent the access of living organisms to wounds, or, if they have gained access, to destroy them.

If we can prevent the decomposition of organic substances by excluding the living organisms which cause it, we can prevent the decomposition of wounds.

The success of antiseptic surgery depends upon the most scrupulous attention to details.

It is not enough to know that germs exist; we must know how to deal with them.

The introduction of the antiseptic system has, I believe, been the means of saving many lives and of preventing much suffering.

I am convinced that the future of surgery lies in the strict application of antiseptic principles.

The surgeon, like the physician, must be a student of nature.

Observation, experiment, and deduction are the three pillars of scientific progress.

The greatest reward for a scientific worker is the knowledge that his efforts have contributed to the welfare of mankind.

We must never cease to question, to investigate, and to improve.

The advance of science is a continuous process, and each generation builds upon the work of its predecessors.

The true spirit of scientific inquiry is characterized by humility and an open mind.

It is our duty to alleviate suffering and to prolong life.

The practice of medicine is an art as well as a science.

The welfare of the patient should always be the paramount consideration.

We must constantly strive to improve our methods and to refine our techniques.

The antiseptic system is not a panacea, but it is a powerful tool in the hands of a skilled surgeon.