Norman Cousins Quotes

The possibility of war increases in direct proportion to the effectiveness of the instruments of war.

Each patient carries his own doctor inside him.

History is a vast early warning system.

The human body experiences a powerful gravitational pull in the direction of hope. That is why the patient's hopes are the physician's secret weapon. They are the hidden ingredients in any prescription.

It has always seemed to me that hearty laughter is a good way to jog internally without having to go outdoors.

Death is not the enemy living in constant fear of it is.

Since the human body tends to move in the direction of its expectations-plus or minus-it is important to know that attitudes of confidence and determination are no less a part of the treatment program than medical science and technology.

Not every illness can be overcome. But many people allow illness to disfigure their lives more than it should. They cave in needlessly. They ignore and weaken whatever powers they have for standing erect. There is always a margin within which life can be lived with meaning and even with a certain measure of joy, despite illness.

The essence of man is imperfection.

Life is an adventure in forgiveness

The most costly disease is not cancer or coronaries. The most costly disease is boredom - costly for both individual and society.