Paracelsus Quotes

“Medicine rests upon four pillars—philosophy, astronomy, alchemy, and ethics. The first pillar is the philosophical knowledge of earth and water; the second, astronomy, supplies its full understanding of that which is of fiery and airy nature; the third is an adequate explanation of the properties of all the four elements—that is to say, of the whole cosmos—and an introduction into the art of their transformations; and finally, the fourth shows the physician those virtues which must stay with him up until his death, and it should support and complete the three other pillars.”

“However, anyone to whom this happens should not leave his room upon awakening, should speak to no-one, but remain alone and sober until everything comes back to him, and he recalls the dream.”

“Once a disease has entered the body, all parts which are healthy must fight it: not one alone, but all. Because a disease might mean their common death. Nature knows this; and Nature attacks the disease with whatever help she can muster.”

“Medicine is not only a science; it is also an art. It does not consist of compounding pills and plasters; it deals with the very processes of life, which must be understood before they may be guided.”

“The art of healing comes from nature, not from the physician. Therefore the physician must start from nature, with an open mind.”

“Dreams are not without meaning wherever thay may come from-from fantasy, from the elements, or from other inspiration.”

“From time immemorial artistic insights have been revealed to artists in their sleep and in dreams, so that at all times they ardently desired them.”

“The interpretation of dreams is a great art.”

“Dreams must be heeded and accepted. For a great many of them come true.”