Portrait of Avicenna (Ibn Sina)

Avicenna (Ibn Sina)

Persian polymath, Canon of Medicine

Medieval influential 37 sayings

Sayings by Avicenna (Ibn Sina)

A man’s worth is determined by his knowledge.

11th century — Philosophical reflection
Educational Unverifiable

The physician must be a man of wisdom, for wisdom is the foundation of medicine.

1025 — From 'The Canon of Medicine'
Wisdom Unverifiable

The body is a vessel for the soul, and the soul is the captain of the ship.

11th century — Metaphysical analogy
Biblical Unverifiable

The best way to keep the body healthy is to keep the mind healthy.

11th century — Medical advice
Wisdom Unverifiable

The wise man does not grieve for what he has not, but rejoices in what he has.

11th century — Philosophical reflection
Wisdom Unverifiable

The physician must be a man of patience, for patience is the key to healing.

11th century — Medical ethics
Wisdom Unverifiable

The soul is a substance that is neither body nor dependent on the body.

11th century — Metaphysical argument
Biblical Unverifiable

The physician must be a man of courage, for courage is necessary in the face of death.

11th century — Medical ethics
Inspirational Unverifiable

The mind is the eye of the soul.

11th century — Philosophical reflection
Biblical Unverifiable

Is it the fault of wine if a fool drinks it and goes stumbling into darkness?

c. 1020 — General observation, likely from his philosophical or ethical writings.
Food & Drink Unverifiable

The different sorts of madness are innumerable.

c. 1020 — From his medical writings, possibly 'The Canon of Medicine'.
General Unverifiable

Those who deny the first principle should be flogged or burned until they admit that it is not the same thing to be burned and not burned, or whipped and not whipped.

c. 1020 — From his philosophical writings, possibly discussing logic or metaphysics.
General Unverifiable

A horse is simply a horse.

c. 1020 — General observation, possibly from philosophical discussions on definitions or essences.
General Unverifiable

Leeches should be kept a day before applying them. They should be squeezed to make them eject the contents of their stomachs.

c. 1020 — From 'The Canon of Medicine', describing medical procedures.
General Unverifiable

O what a lean cow! it is not fit to be killed: give it fodder until it gets fat.

c. 1015-1020 (approximate, during his medical practice) — Said to a prince suffering from melancholy who believed he was a cow and wished to be slaughtered fo…
General Unverifiable

The world is divided into men who have brains and no religion, and men who have religion and no brains.

approx. 1020 — From his philosophical writings questioning blind faith
Religious Confirmed

The human intellect is incapable of knowing the divine essence.

1020 — Controversial theological assertion
General Unverifiable
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