The Little Book of Aphorisms & Quotations for the Surgeon

Book excerpt: Moshe Schein has previously compiled two books of surgical aphorisms and quotations — the first book Aphorisms & Quotations for the Surgeon, with its 1500 quotations, and the slimmer A Companion to Aphorisms & Quotations for the Surgeon. Since their publication, both books have become steady bestsellers. Surgeons use the books to ‘decorate’ their lectures or manuscripts with relevant smart or entertaining entries; some like to quote from the books during teaching rounds or conferences; many simply enjoy them for their collective and eternal surgical wisdom and wit. Now, as Moshe is drifting towards retirement, here is the last in the trilogy of this international bestselling series — The Little Book of Aphorisms & Quotations for the Surgeon. The quotes collected within this little book have been gathered since the publication of the last two books in the series. As before, these aphorisms and quotations are retrieved from multiple sources: journals, books, lectures and, more and more, gathered from surgical friends around the world. The decision to include any entry is based on personal taste. Some would question the wisdom or accuracy of individual entries; others may not ‘get’ the humor or may object to political incorrectness. But it is hoped that most readers, especially younger surgeons, will discover that surgical truth is old, that what they think is a novel idea has been said before, and that what they observe around them — has been observed years ago. It may contribute to their humanity and humility, perhaps even add maturity to their surgical personality and practice. In addition, with a bit of luck, it may increase their sense of surgical humor — for how can one survive a lifelong surgical career without possessing some of it: Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing. Those who lack humor are without judgment and should be trusted with nothing. Clive James (1939-2019)