Hippocrates, That Dude Knew Some Sh**

http://www.citelighter.com/philosophy/philosophy/knowledgecards/hippocrates

One of my favorite quotes about food ("Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.") comes from Hippocrates*. I wondered if he'd said anything else worthwile--turns out YES but also...dude said some things that now sound crazy:

The Good: 

"Walking is man's best medicine."

"Everything in excess is opposed to nature."

Speaks to our Prone-to-Gluttony American Society...

"Whenever a doctor cannot do good, he must be kept from doing harm."

Unnecessary c-sections anyone?

“Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a mater of opportunity."

I hate this one because I know it's true and I find it hard to live out!

The Not So Good: 

"A physician without a knowledge of Astrology has no right to call himself a physician."

“Eunuchs do not take the gout, nor become bald.”

Um, okay. Though if the one about eunuchs is true, color me curious.

Philosophical Differences:

"There are in fact two things, science and opinion; the former begets knowledge, the later ignorance."

My problem? Science is often mistaken for 'fact', when in reality it's our best guess at any given time. It changes with every new amazing discovery. 

*"Hippocrates of Cos (c. 460 BC – c. 370 BC) was an ancient Greek physician of the Age of Pericles (Classical Athens), and is considered one of the most outstanding figures in the history of medicine. He is referred to as the father of Western medicine in recognition of his lasting contributions to the field as the founder of the Hippocratic School."