--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: 'Incurable' is a tough word. So is…" description: "\"'Incurable' is a tough word. So is 'terminal.'\" — Valerie Harper" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/258/valerie-harper-4175_incurable_incurable-is-a-tough-word-so-is-terminal_2117008.png" --- # 'Incurable' is a tough word. So is 'terminal.' ![“'Incurable' is a tough word. So is 'terminal.'” quote by Valerie Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/258/valerie-harper-4175_incurable_incurable-is-a-tough-word-so-is-terminal_2117008.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/258/valerie-harper-4175_incurable_incurable-is-a-tough-word-so-is-terminal_2117008.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/258/valerie-harper-4175_incurable_incurable-is-a-tough-word-so-is-terminal_2117008.png) > “'Incurable' is a tough word. So is 'terminal.'” [Valerie Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-harper/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker highlights that terms like “incurable” and “terminal” are harsh and carry heavy connotations. **In simple terms:** Words like “incurable” feel severe. Key Takeaway Choose language carefully when discussing health. Themes communication empathy stigma Mood cautious thoughtful Type advice observation When to use this quote - patient counseling - public health messaging - media reporting Key Concepts medical terminology psychology of language Questions to Reflect On - How might softer phrasing affect patient outlook? - When is it appropriate to use clinical terms? A Different Perspective Such terms can cause unnecessary fear or fatalism. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Incurable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/incurable/) [Incurable Tough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/incurable-tough-3756374/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Terminal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terminal/) [Tough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tough/) [Tough Word](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tough-word-1894281/) [Word](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/word/) [Word Terminal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/word-terminal-4300550/) ## Related quotes > [When I heard 'incurable'... incurable is a tough word.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-harper/when-i-heard-incurable-incurable-is-a-tough-word/) [Valerie Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-harper/) > [Cancer is tough. Even saying it, it's a tough word to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-fonsi/cancer-is-tough-even-saying-it-it-s-a-tough-word-to-say/) [Luis Fonsi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-fonsi/) > [You think your soooo tough with word ,but me you haven't realized that I'm physical some I don't care. I'll slap those words away…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mrawesome/you-think-your-soooo-tough-with-word-but-me-you-haven-t-realized-that/) [MrAwesome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mrawesome/) > [The word is faithful, look it up It don't mean sneakin' around Behind my back like you ain't gettin' enough How 'bout forever, just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashton-shepherd/the-word-is-faithful-look-it-up-it-don-t-mean-sneakin-around-behind/) [Ashton Shepherd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashton-shepherd/) > [My name is Bruce Feiler, and I'm an explainaholic. I first heard this word used to describe Isaac Asimov, and I knew instantly that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-feiler/my-name-is-bruce-feiler-and-i-m-an-explainaholic-i-first-heard-this/) [Bruce Feiler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-feiler/) > [We're all terminal; none of us are getting out of this alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-harper/we-re-all-terminal-none-of-us-are-getting-out-of-this-alive/) [Valerie Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-harper/) > [“Assumption is one dreadful and incurable disease, which sticks to the soul and wiggles across the skin.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aniruddha-sastikar/assumption-is-one-dreadful-and-incurable-disease-which-sticks-to-the/) [Aniruddha Sastikar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aniruddha-sastikar/) > [Perfect Scepticismeis a disease incurable, and a thing rather to be pitied or laughed at, then seriously opposed. For when aman is so fugitive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-more/perfect-scepticismeis-a-disease-incurable-and-a-thing-rather-to-be/) [Henry More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-more/) > [incurable lover of the grotesque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/incurable-lover-of-the-grotesque/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm an incurable romantic. But I'm not an adrenaline junkie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-m-grunsfeld/i-m-an-incurable-romantic-but-i-m-not-an-adrenaline-junkie/) [John M. Grunsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-m-grunsfeld/) > [In the beginning, when I first found out I had a disease that was incurable, emotionally I had to get used to the idea…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-duffy/in-the-beginning-when-i-first-found-out-i-had-a-disease-that-was/) [Karen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-duffy/) > [At the time I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, my doctors told me that I had an incurable illness and they didn't know much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-ann-mobley/at-the-time-i-was-diagnosed-with-crohn-s-disease-my-doctors-told-me/) [Mary Ann Mobley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-ann-mobley/) > [There is no such thing as an incurable disease, only incurable people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-siegel/there-is-no-such-thing-as-an-incurable-disease-only-incurable-people/) [Bernie Siegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-siegel/) > [There are no such things as incurable, there are only things for which man has not found a cure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-baruch/there-are-no-such-things-as-incurable-there-are-only-things-for-which/) [Bernard Baruch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-baruch/) > [Imaginary evils are incurable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-von-ebner-eschenbach/imaginary-evils-are-incurable/) [Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-von-ebner-eschenbach/) ## More by Valerie Harper > [Life does not owe me a shred.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-harper/life-does-not-owe-me-a-shred/) [Valerie Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-harper/) > [Cancer reminds me of a very bad but tenacious performer who, although no one wants to see, insists on doing an encore, having a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-harper/cancer-reminds-me-of-a-very-bad-but-tenacious-performer-who-although/) [Valerie Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-harper/) > [I really got the 'Rhoda' flavor from studying my stepmother, Angela, who's Italian, not Jewish. There's really so little difference between the speech patterns…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-harper/i-really-got-the-rhoda-flavor-from-studying-my-stepmother-angela-who/) [Valerie Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-harper/) > [We think it's food that matters the most, but exercise and food both matter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-harper/we-think-it-s-food-that-matters-the-most-but-exercise-and-food-both/) [Valerie Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-harper/) > [All of us are going to die. Every single one of us. So, while you're alive, be alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-harper/all-of-us-are-going-to-die-every-single-one-of-us-so-while-you-re/) [Valerie Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-harper/) > [I'm painfully middle class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-harper/i-m-painfully-middle-class/) [Valerie Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-harper/) > [I don't know a great deal about Alzheimer's - just what it does.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-harper/i-don-t-know-a-great-deal-about-alzheimer-s-just-what-it-does/) [Valerie Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-harper/) > [I have had acupuncture regularly, and I engage in visualization, which is actually an actor's tool, visualizing myself kicking out the cancer, making up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-harper/i-have-had-acupuncture-regularly-and-i-engage-in-visualization-which/) [Valerie Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-harper/) > [I first met Rhoda Morgenstern in the spring of 1970.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-harper/i-first-met-rhoda-morgenstern-in-the-spring-of-1970/) [Valerie Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-harper/) > [I've had very deep moments of sadness. What I do is really sob, really cry, do whatever it is, and then kind of release…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-harper/i-ve-had-very-deep-moments-of-sadness-what-i-do-is-really-sob-really/) [Valerie Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-harper/) > [Comedy is saving me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-harper/comedy-is-saving-me/) [Valerie Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-harper/) > [Life is amazing. Live it to the fullest. Stay as long as you can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-harper/life-is-amazing-live-it-to-the-fullest-stay-as-long-as-you-can/) [Valerie Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-harper/) > [If I wake up in the night terrified, I try to find a way to not let the fear have me. Every moment you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-harper/if-i-wake-up-in-the-night-terrified-i-try-to-find-a-way-to-not-let/) [Valerie Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-harper/) > [Death is out there for all of us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-harper/death-is-out-there-for-all-of-us/) [Valerie Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-harper/) > [I'm happier because I had to face what all of us try not to face: that we're going to die. It's a fact.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-harper/i-m-happier-because-i-had-to-face-what-all-of-us-try-not-to-face-that/) [Valerie Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-harper/) [Explore all 115 Valerie Harper quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-harper/) ## More Incurable quotes > [Imaginary evils are incurable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-von-ebner-eschenbach/imaginary-evils-are-incurable/) [Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-von-ebner-eschenbach/) > [There are no such things as incurable, there are only things for which man has not found a cure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-baruch/there-are-no-such-things-as-incurable-there-are-only-things-for-which/) [Bernard Baruch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-baruch/) > [There is no such thing as an incurable disease, only incurable people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-siegel/there-is-no-such-thing-as-an-incurable-disease-only-incurable-people/) [Bernie Siegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-siegel/) > [At the time I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, my doctors told me that I had an incurable illness and they didn't know much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-ann-mobley/at-the-time-i-was-diagnosed-with-crohn-s-disease-my-doctors-told-me/) [Mary Ann Mobley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-ann-mobley/) > [Perfect Scepticismeis a disease incurable, and a thing rather to be pitied or laughed at, then seriously opposed. For when aman is so fugitive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-more/perfect-scepticismeis-a-disease-incurable-and-a-thing-rather-to-be/) [Henry More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-more/) > [“Assumption is one dreadful and incurable disease, which sticks to the soul and wiggles across the skin.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aniruddha-sastikar/assumption-is-one-dreadful-and-incurable-disease-which-sticks-to-the/) [Aniruddha Sastikar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aniruddha-sastikar/) > [My name is Bruce Feiler, and I'm an explainaholic. I first heard this word used to describe Isaac Asimov, and I knew instantly that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-feiler/my-name-is-bruce-feiler-and-i-m-an-explainaholic-i-first-heard-this/) [Bruce Feiler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-feiler/) > [incurable lover of the grotesque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/incurable-lover-of-the-grotesque/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm an incurable romantic. But I'm not an adrenaline junkie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-m-grunsfeld/i-m-an-incurable-romantic-but-i-m-not-an-adrenaline-junkie/) [John M. Grunsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-m-grunsfeld/) > [In the beginning, when I first found out I had a disease that was incurable, emotionally I had to get used to the idea…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-duffy/in-the-beginning-when-i-first-found-out-i-had-a-disease-that-was/) [Karen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-duffy/) > [Never must the physician say, the disease is incurable. By that admission he denies God, our Creator; he doubts Nature with her profuseness of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morris-fishbein/never-must-the-physician-say-the-disease-is-incurable-by-that/) [Morris Fishbein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morris-fishbein/) > [I was an incurable romantic then, same as I am now. I was always pining away after somebody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-may/i-was-an-incurable-romantic-then-same-as-i-am-now-i-was-always-pining/) [Brian May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-may/) > [The human being is born with an incurable capacity for making the best of things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/the-human-being-is-born-with-an-incurable-capacity-for-making-the/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [I hope they get a f\*ckin' incurable disease living up there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jersey-shore/i-hope-they-get-a-f-ckin-incurable-disease-living-up-there/) [Jersey Shore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jersey-shore/) > [“Grief was an illness with me. Unfortunately it’s incurable. I’ve just learned to live with it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-brown/grief-was-an-illness-with-me-unfortunately-it-s-incurable-i-ve-just/) [Sandra Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-brown/) [Browse all 67 Incurable quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/incurable/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "'Incurable' is a tough word. 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