--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But physicians don’t really save lives…" description: "\"“But physicians don’t really save lives, of course, we prolong them;”\" — Robert Charles Wilson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ec/robert-charles-wilson-4900_doctor_but-physicians-don-t-really-save-lives-o_1793806.png" --- # But physicians don’t really save lives, of course, we… ![“But physicians don’t really save lives, of course, we prolong them;” quote by Robert Charles Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ec/robert-charles-wilson-4900_doctor_but-physicians-don-t-really-save-lives-o_1793806.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ec/robert-charles-wilson-4900_doctor_but-physicians-don-t-really-save-lives-o_1793806.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ec/robert-charles-wilson-4900_doctor_but-physicians-don-t-really-save-lives-o_1793806.png) > ““But physicians don’t really save lives, of course, we prolong them;”” [Robert Charles Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-charles-wilson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Physicians extend life rather than truly saving it, highlighting the difference between prolonging existence and preserving quality. **In simple terms:** Doctors keep us alive longer, not always saving us. Key Takeaway Value quality over mere longevity. Themes medicine ethics life extension Mood thoughtful serious Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - end‑of‑life decisions - health policy - personal health Key Concepts palliative care medical intervention Questions to Reflect On - What defines a life worth living? - How should medicine balance extension and quality? A Different Perspective Prolonging life may increase suffering. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Doctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctor/) [Medicine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/medicine/) [Physicians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/physicians/) [Prolong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prolong/) ## Related quotes > [I became a physician in order to help save lives. I am at once a physician, a citizen, and a woman, and I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mildred-fay-jefferson/i-became-a-physician-in-order-to-help-save-lives-i-am-at-once-a/) Mildred Fay Jefferson > [When I fire, I just look at them and I say, 'You're fired.' I don't prolong it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-harrison/when-i-fire-i-just-look-at-them-and-i-say-you-re-fired-i-don-t/) [Corey Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-harrison/) > [The trouble was that I tried to prolong my youth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-coogan/the-trouble-was-that-i-tried-to-prolong-my-youth/) [Jackie Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-coogan/) > [To be or not to be isn't the question. The question is how to prolong being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/to-be-or-not-to-be-isn-t-the-question-the-question-is-how-to-prolong/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [Modern science & doctors can do a great deal to prolong life. 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He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/nurses-came-to-his-house-to-work-with-morrie-s-withering-legs-bending/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [“There is no way of stopping death, not here. You can prolong it. 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