"When schemes are laid in advance, it is surprising how often the circumstances fit in with them."

William Osler Medicine See all quotes by William Osler →

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“Medicine is a science of uncertainty and an art of probability.”

“Take the sum of human achievement in action, in science, in art, in literature—subtract the work of the men above forty, and while we should miss great treasures, even priceless treasures, we would practically be where we are today … The effective, moving, vitalizing work of the world is done between the ages of twenty-five and forty.”

“Osler Library, brief biography of William Osler”

“We are here to add what we can to, not to get what we can from, Life.”

“Common sense in matters medical is rare, and is usually in inverse ratio to the degree of education.”

“The greater the ignorance the greater the dogmatism.”

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"Loneliness is never more cruel than when it is felt in close propinquity with someone who has ceased to communicate."

— Germaine Greer

gender studies1939

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"Salman ibn 'Amir reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "When one of you breaks the fast, he should break it with dates. They are a blessing. If he cannot find any d…"

— Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

Religion570–632

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"This is a bird's-eye view of the substance with which Americanization deals. The burden of Americanization to-day lies as much among the various races as between the native-born and any given race. It…"

— Frances Kellor

Journalism1873–1952

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"Serious reflexion about one's own character will often induce a curious sense of emptiness; and if one knows another person well, one may sometimes intuit a similar void in him."

— Iris Murdoch

Philosophy1919–1999

#knowledge