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Doctor Quote by Marcel Proust

“even when a political truth is enshrined in written documents, it is seldom that these have any more value than a radiographic plate on which the layman imagines that the patient’s disease is inscribed in so many words, whereas in fact the plate furnishes simply one piece of material for study, to…” quote by Marcel Proust
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““even when a political truth is enshrined in written documents, it is seldom that these have any more value than a radiographic plate on which the layman imagines that the patient’s disease is inscribed in so many words, whereas in fact the plate furnishes simply one piece of material for study, to be combined with a number of others on which the doctor’s reasoning powers will be brought to bear and on which he will base his diagnosis.””

Marcel Proust

About This Quote

Source Book: In Search of Lost Time, Marcel Proust, 1913-1927

Written records are limited; true understanding requires multiple sources and expert interpretation.

In simple terms: Documents alone aren’t enough; combine them with expertise.

Key Takeaway

Seek diverse evidence and expert insight.

Themes

knowledge interpretation expertise

Mood

analytical skeptical

Type

philosophical critical

When to use this quote

  • medical diagnosis
  • historical research
  • legal analysis
  • academic study

Key Concepts

epistemology diagnostic reasoning

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you verify the reliability of a single source?
  • What role does expert judgment play in your field?
A Different Perspective

Limited by the quality and availability of additional evidence.

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