Quote by H. L. Mencken

Hygiene is the corruption of medicine by morality. It is impossible to find a hygienist who does not debase his theory of the healthful with a theory of the virtuous. The true aim of medicine is not to make men virtuous; it is to safeguard and rescue them from the consequences of their vices.

Hygiene is the corruption of medicine by morality. It is imp

Summary

This quote suggests that the pursuit of hygiene, often associated with morality, corrupts the field of medicine. The speaker believes that hygienists often mix their theories on promoting health with moral judgment. Instead, the true purpose of medicine is seen as protecting and treating individuals from the consequences of their vices, rather than imposing virtuous behavior. The quote highlights a distinction between the objectives of hygiene and medicine, suggesting that personal values and moral judgments should not overshadow the primary goal of healthcare.

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By H. L. Mencken

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