Galen of Pergamon
A prominent physician and surgeon in the Roman Empire whose extensive writings dominated Western medicine for over a millennium.
Most quoted
"I have done as much for medicine as Trajan did for the Roman Empire when he built the bridges and roads through Italy. It is I, and I alone, who have revealed the true path of medicine."
— from On My Own Books
"All who drink of this remedy recover in a short time, except those whom it does not help, who all die. Therefore, it is obvious that it fails only in incurable cases."
— from On the Therapeutic Method
"I have often seen physicians, when they have failed to cure a disease, blame the patient's constitution, or the stars, or anything but their own ignorance."
— from On the Natural Faculties
All quotes by Galen of Pergamon (337)
The best physician is one who can inspire hope.
I have often found that the most difficult patients are the ones who think they know best.
The physician who does not adapt his treatment to the individual patient is like a tailor who makes all clothes the same size.
Some physicians are so afraid of making a mistake, they do nothing at all.
The physician is a philosopher, for there is no science more sublime than that which reveals the nature of man.
Life is a continuous struggle against the forces of decay and death, and the physician is the general in this war.
The soul, though invisible, manifests its presence through the body, and its health is intertwined with the body's well-being.
To understand man, one must understand the universe, for man is a microcosm reflecting the macrocosm.
Truth is not found in dogma, but in diligent observation and rational inquiry.
Beauty is not merely superficial; it is an outward manifestation of inner harmony and health.
The purpose of life is to live in accordance with nature, which is to say, to live virtuously and healthily.
Death is not an end, but a transformation, a return to the elements from which we came.
Consciousness is the light that illuminates our existence, allowing us to perceive and understand the world.
The greatest good is health, for without it, all other goods are diminished.
Ignorance is the root of all suffering, and knowledge is the path to liberation.
The human body is a marvel of divine craftsmanship, each part perfectly designed for its function.
To heal the body, one must also heal the mind, for they are inextricably linked.
The pursuit of knowledge is the noblest endeavor, for it expands our understanding of ourselves and the cosmos.
Life is a precious gift, and we have a duty to preserve and cherish it.
The fear of death is a greater affliction than death itself.
Contemporaries of Galen of Pergamon
Other Medicines born within 50 years of Galen of Pergamon (129–216).