JUL 26, 2018
Historical Excerpts and Quotations Corner
Our history editors compile quotes and wisdom from medicine’s long history. Send your favorite timeless pearls on ophthalmology to scope@aao.org.
“The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease.”
– Attributed to Voltaire (1694-1778)
“Why has not Man a microscopic eye?
For this plain reason, Man is not a Fly.
Say, what the use, were finer Opticks given
T' inspect a Mite, not comprehend the Heav'n?”
– Alexander Pope
(Patient of Chevalier John Taylor)
"An Essay on Man," Epistle I
“The intention is to stare into space to ease tired eyes but seeing more disturbs the tranquil spirit.”
– A zen-like quotation from
an 11th-century Buddhist monk
Submitted by Jurn Sun Leung, PhD