Computers Quote by Susan Meissner
““Disease has no intent. It doesn't want anything. It has no malevolent desire to kill. If it could talk it would not say "I want to make you ill. I want to bring you to the brink of death. I want to kill." It would say only "I make people ill. I bring them to the brink of death. I can kill." The disease is like machine that does what it does, but has no cognizance of self. When a machine stops working, it does not care, and it doesn't celebrate when it starts working again. To those that have it, and to their loved ones, the disease seems heinous, deliberate,and personal. And of course I know why they feel this way... when you are in a fight for your life, then surely there is an adversary. There is something opposed to you. Something that desires to defeat you. You want to believe the enemy is the disease. You don't want to believe, even for a minute, that the enemy is your own body. This weak tent of flesh, that cannot stand up against a speck of contagion. This fragile weave of muscle, bone, and soul, that also cannot resist the power of flame, nor the pull of the ground below it.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Podcast on illness perception, 2023
Disease acts without intention; humans project malice onto it, creating an adversarial narrative that can hinder coping.
In simple terms: Disease is indifferent; we make it seem hostile.
Key Takeaway
Recognize disease as a neutral process, not a personal enemy.
Themes
health
psychology
perception
coping
mortality
Mood
reflective
empathetic
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- diagnosis
- patient support
- mental health counseling
- public health messaging
Key Concepts
agency
intentionality
personification
mindbody dualism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does viewing disease as an enemy affect recovery?
- Can reframing disease improve mental resilience?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasizing agency may distract from practical treatment steps.