Skip to content

Order by December 10 for delivery before Christmas. Shop gifts

What it means

Bodies have doctors, Cicero argues, and minds have philosophy. Unlike bodily cures, this one we can work on ourselves. Read and think the way you would exercise or eat well.

The source

"Philosophy is medicine for the mind." Cicero said it in Tusculan Disputations 3.6. Translated from the original Latin by Spartan Surfers.

"Est profecto animi medicina, philosophia"

Original Latin, Tusculan Disputations 3.6. Text read at thelatinlibrary.com.

Who said it

Cicero (106–43 BC). Rome's greatest orator and a consul who saved the Republic once and died defending it. He brought Greek philosophy into Latin for everyday Romans.

Questions

What does "Philosophy is medicine for the mind." mean?
Bodies have doctors, Cicero argues, and minds have philosophy. Unlike bodily cures, this one we can work on ourselves. Read and think the way you would exercise or eat well.
Who said "Philosophy is medicine for the mind."?
Cicero (106–43 BC). Source: Tusculan Disputations 3.6.
What is the original Latin?
Est profecto animi medicina, philosophia. Translated from the original Latin by Spartan Surfers.
Is "Philosophy is medicine for the mind." on a shirt?
Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

Cite this line

"Philosophy is medicine for the mind." (Cicero, Tusculan Disputations 3.6, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/philosophy-is-medicine-for-the-mind

Filed under Quotes about calm.

More from Cicero