There is no more difficult art to acquire than the art of observation, and for some men it is quite as difficult to record an observation in brief and plain language.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Learning to observe carefully and write clearly is very difficult.
- In plain terms
- Observing well and writing simply is hard to master.
- What can you take from it?
- Practice clear observation and concise writing.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How clear are your notes?
- What makes observation hard?
Another view
Some observations require detail over brevity.
More from William Osler
There are three classes of human beings: men, women and women physicians.
Permalink to quote #18 To have striven, to have made the effort, to have been true to certain ideals - this alone is worth the struggle.
Permalink to quote #20 The desire to take medicine is perhaps the greatest feature which distinguishes man from animals.
Permalink to quote #17
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