Aphorismi

work attributed to Hippocrates

Also known as: “Aphorisms”

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June 17, 2026

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The Aphorisms is a collection of concise statements attributed to Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician often called the father of medicine. These statements, or aphorisms, express general truths or principles, particularly in fields like medicine that were developing their own methodologies.123

The first aphorism famously states: "Life is short, Art long, Occasion sudden and dangerous, Experience deceitful, and Judgment difficult.". This highlights the challenges faced in practicing medicine, emphasizing the need for readiness and preparedness. The collection covers symptoms, diagnosis, and the art of healing. While many works bear Hippocrates' name, the Aphorisms is a significant part of the Corpus Hippocraticum, influencing medical ethics and practice for centuries.1324

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aphorism
…was first used in the Aphorisms of Hippocrates, a long series of propositions concerning the symptoms and diagnosis of disease and the art of healing and medicine. The first aphorism, which serves as a kind of introduction to the book, runs as follows:
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…was first used in the Aphorisms of Hippocrates, a long series of propositions concerning the symptoms and diagnosis of disease and the art of healing and medicine. The first aphorism, which serves as a kind of introduction to the book, runs as follows:
Read More

history of medicine
Hippocrates
…of the works, notably the Aphorismi (Aphorisms), were used as textbooks until the 19th century. The first and best-known aphorism is “Life is Short, Art long, Occasion sudden and dangerous, Experience deceitful, and Judgment difficult” (often shortened to the Latin tag “Ars longa, vita brevis”). This is followed by brief…
Read More
…of the works, notably the Aphorismi (Aphorisms), were used as textbooks until the 19th century. The first and best-known aphorism is “Life is Short, Art long, Occasion sudden and dangerous, Experience deceitful, and Judgment difficult” (often shortened to the Latin tag “Ars longa, vita brevis”). This is followed by brief…
Read More