Quote

I have learned never to underestimate the capacity of the human mind and body to regenerate - even when prospects seem most wretched. The life force may be the least understood force on earth.

Norman Cousins

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Norman Cousins
Age: 75 †
Born: 1915
Born: June 24
Died: 1990
Died: November 30
Journalist
Literary Critic
Peace Activist
Professor
Writer
Union City
New Jersey
Even
Least
Prospects
Mind
Force
Wretched
Never
Seems
Underestimate
Life
Earth
Illness
Body
Capacity
May
Understood
Human
Seem
Humans
Learned
Regenerate

More quotes by Norman Cousins

Image
The control center of your life is your attitude.
Norman Cousins
Image
The poet reminds men of their uniqueness and it is not necessary to possess the ultimate definition of this uniqueness. Even to speculate is a gain.
Norman Cousins
Image
For every low there is an equal but opposite high.
Norman Cousins
Image
It is no longer correct to regard higher education solely as a privilege. It is a basic right in today's world.
Norman Cousins
Image
To be able to rise from the earth to be able, from a station in outer space, to see the relationship of the planet earth to other planets to be able to contemplate the billions of factors in precise and beautiful combination that make human existence possible to be able to dwell on an encounter of the human brain and spirit with the universe
Norman Cousins
Image
Although a man may have no jurisdiction over the fact of his existence, he can hold supreme command over the meaning of existence for him.
Norman Cousins
Image
The library is not a shrine for the worship of books. It is not a temple where literary incense must be burned or where one's one devotion to the bound book is expressed in ritual. A library, to modify the famous metaphor of Socrates, should be the delivery room for the birth of ideas - a place where history comes to life.
Norman Cousins
Image
Don't defy the diagnosis, try to defy the verdict.
Norman Cousins
Image
The old emphasis upon superficial differences that separate peoples must give way to education for citizenship in the human community.
Norman Cousins
Image
Words have to be crafted, not sprayed. They need to be fitted together with infinite care.
Norman Cousins
Image
The possibility of war increases in direct proportion to the effectiveness of the instruments of war.
Norman Cousins
Image
More and more, the choice for the world's people is between becoming world warriors or world citizens.
Norman Cousins
Image
Laughter is a powerful way to tap positive emotions
Norman Cousins
Image
The physician's ability to reassure the patient is a major factor in activating the body's own healing system.
Norman Cousins
Image
Drugs are not always necessary. Belief in recovery always is.
Norman Cousins
Image
To talk about the need for perfection in man is to talk about the need for another species.
Norman Cousins
Image
The greatest force in the human body is the natural drive of the body to heal itself - but that force in not independent of the belief system. Everything begins with belief. What we believe is the most powerful option of all.
Norman Cousins
Image
Death is not the enemy living in constant fear of it is.
Norman Cousins
Image
Governments are not built to perceive large truths. Only people can perceive great truths. Governments specialize in small and intermediate truths. They have to be instructed by their people in great truths.
Norman Cousins
Image
History is a vast early warning system.
Norman Cousins