Hospitals are only an intermediate stage of civilization. Florence Nightingale
It may seem a strange principle to enunciate as the very first requirement in a Hospital that it should do the sick no harm. Florence Nightingale
No man, not even a doctor, ever gives any other definition of what a nurse should be than this – ‘devoted and obedient.’ This definition would do just as well for a porter. It might even do for a horse. Florence Nightingale
How very little can be done under the spirit of fear. Florence Nightingale
Live your life while you have it. Life is a splendid gift. There is nothing small about it. Florence Nightingale
So never lose an opportunity of urging a practical beginning, however small, for it is wonderful how often in such matters the mustard-seed germinates and roots itself. Florence Nightingale
I attribute my success to this – I never gave or took any excuse. Florence Nightingale
To understand God’s thoughts we must study statistics, for these are the measure of His purpose. Florence Nightingale
Were there none who were discontented with what they have, the world would never reach anything better. Florence Nightingale
I think one’s feelings waste themselves in words; they ought all to be distilled into actions which bring results. Florence Nightingale
Nursing is an art: and if it is to be made an art, it requires an exclusive devotion as hard a preparation, as any painter’s or sculptor’s work; for what is the having to do with dead canvas or dead marble, compared with having to do with the living body, the temple of God’s spirit? It is one of the Fine Arts: I had almost said, the finest of Fine Arts. Florence Nightingale
The most important practical lesson than can be given to nurses is to teach them what to observe. Florence Nightingale