William Harvey

Blood circulation

Early Modern influential 138 sayings

Sayings by William Harvey

The blood is the life.

1628 (implied by his work) — A concise and powerful statement reflecting his central discovery.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The heart is a pump, and the blood is a fluid.

1628 (from 'De Motu Cordis') — A mechanistic description of the circulatory system, foundational to his scientific approach.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I have often wondered that the heart, though it be the chief seat of life, yet is not sensible of its own motion.

c. 1628 (from 'De Motu Cordis') — A curious observation on the heart's lack of self-perception despite its vital role.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The more accurately we observe, the more clearly we understand.

Uncertain (attributed) — A statement on the importance of meticulous empirical observation in science.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The causes of diseases are often hidden, and to find them requires much labor and diligence.

Uncertain (attributed) — A statement on the challenges of medical diagnosis and etiology.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The art of medicine is to prolong life, not to shorten it.

Uncertain (attributed) — A fundamental ethical principle of medical practice.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The human body is a machine, but it is also a living soul.

Uncertain (attributed) — A dualistic view of human nature, combining mechanistic understanding with spiritual belief.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The physician must be a man of integrity and honesty.

Uncertain (attributed) — A statement on the ethical requirements for medical practitioners.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The greatest discovery is to find the truth.

Uncertain (attributed) — A statement on the ultimate goal and reward of scientific endeavor.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The best way to learn is to teach.

Uncertain (attributed) — A pedagogical insight on the benefits of instructing others.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The world is full of wonders, but man is the greatest wonder of all.

Uncertain (attributed) — A philosophical statement on human uniqueness, similar to Linnaeus.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The heart is the seat of the soul.

Uncertain (attributed) — A traditional belief, which he might have held alongside his mechanistic understanding of the heart.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The true physician is one who loves humanity.

Uncertain (attributed) — An ethical statement on the motivation of a good doctor.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The most important thing in life is to be useful.

Uncertain (attributed) — A statement on the value of practical contribution, similar to Linnaeus.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The senses are the primary source of all knowledge.

Uncertain (attributed) — An empiricist philosophical stance, foundational to his scientific method.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The book of nature is the only book that offers a wealth of content on every one of its pages.

Uncertain (attributed) — A metaphorical statement emphasizing the richness of natural observation, similar to Linnaeus.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The greatest pleasure is to discover something new.

Uncertain (attributed) — An expression of the joy and motivation behind scientific exploration.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The body is a machine, but it is a divine machine.

Uncertain (attributed) — A statement combining mechanistic understanding with a sense of divine creation.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The physician must be a constant student.

Uncertain (attributed) — Emphasizing the continuous learning required in medicine.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The circulation of the blood is a miracle of nature.

c. 1628 (from 'De Motu Cordis') — An expression of awe and wonder at his own discovery.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable