--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But it appears to me that for our patient…" description: "\"“But it appears to me that for our patient truth is what he can persuade others to believe: yet at the same time he is a man of some parts, and I suspe..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22d/patrick-o-brian-2283_persuade-believe_but-it-appears-to-me-that-for-our-patien_1301173.jpg" --- # But it appears to me that for our patient truth is what he… ![“But it appears to me that for our patient truth is what he can persuade others to believe: yet at the same time he is a man of some parts, and I suspect that were you to attack him through his reason, were you to persuade him to abandon this self-defeating practice, with its anxiety, its…” quote by Patrick O'Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22d/patrick-o-brian-2283_persuade-believe_but-it-appears-to-me-that-for-our-patien_1301173.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22d/patrick-o-brian-2283_persuade-believe_but-it-appears-to-me-that-for-our-patien_1301173.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22d/patrick-o-brian-2283_persuade-believe_but-it-appears-to-me-that-for-our-patien_1301173.jpg) > ““But it appears to me that for our patient truth is what he can persuade others to believe: yet at the same time he is a man of some parts, and I suspect that were you to attack him through his reason, were you to persuade him to abandon this self-defeating practice, with its anxiety, its probability of detection, and to seek only a more legitimate approval, then we should have no need for belladonna or any other anhidrotic.”” [Patrick O'Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-o-brian/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote suggests that a patient’s “truth” is shaped by persuasion, and that rational attack on his reasoning could replace harmful practices with legitimate approval. **In simple terms:** Truth is persuaded, not absolute; reason can replace harmful habits. Key Takeaway Use reason to challenge false beliefs. Themes truth persuasion reason health ethics Mood reflective critical Type analytical ethical When to use this quote - clinical practice - patient counseling - ethical decision making Key Concepts psychology philosophy medical ethics Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance persuasion with respect for autonomy? - What ethical limits exist when challenging a patient’s beliefs? 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