--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But what physician has not had patients…" description: "\"But what physician has not had patients who don't make any sense at all? To tell the truth, they're our stock-in-trade. We talk and write about the one..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/768/walker-percy-1958_doctor_but-what-physician-has-not-had-patients_1381391.png" --- # But what physician has not had patients who don't make any… ![“But what physician has not had patients who don't make any sense at all? To tell the truth, they're our stock-in-trade. We talk and write about the ones we can make sense of.” quote by Walker Percy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/768/walker-percy-1958_doctor_but-what-physician-has-not-had-patients_1381391.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/768/walker-percy-1958_doctor_but-what-physician-has-not-had-patients_1381391.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/768/walker-percy-1958_doctor_but-what-physician-has-not-had-patients_1381391.png) > “But what physician has not had patients who don't make any sense at all? To tell the truth, they're our stock-in-trade. We talk and write about the ones we can make sense of.” [Walker Percy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walker-percy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Physicians often encounter patients whose experiences defy logical explanation, yet these cases are central to their practice. **In simple terms:** Doctors see puzzling patients; they are essential to the job. Key Takeaway Embrace the confusing cases as learning opportunities. Themes medicine human behavior uncertainty empathy Mood reflective thoughtful Type observational philosophical When to use this quote - clinical practice - medical education - patient interviews - diagnostic challenges Key Concepts existentialism clinical complexity Questions to Reflect On - How do you find meaning in seemingly irrational patient stories? - What strategies help you navigate clinical uncertainty? 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