Florence Nightingale

"To be a nurse is to answer a calling from God."

"The most fundamental principle is that the sick must be cared for."

"We must not rest content with things as they are."

"Every human being is responsible for the world."

"To God be the glory in all things."

"The very first requirement in a hospital is that it should do the sick no harm."

"I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took any excuse."

"Were there none who were discontented with what they have, the world would never reach anything better."

"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."

"The true foundation of theology is to ascertain the character of God."

"To understand God's thoughts, we must study statistics, for these are the measure of God's purpose."

"I use my music to speak what cannot be spoken in words alone."

"Hospitals should be places of hope, not despair."

"What a world of difference there is between the nurse who is merely technically competent and one who cares."

"The very first requirement is to learn the art of observation."

"I believe we are always going to be ignorant until we choose to know."

"Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, good execution, and intelligent provision."

"The true foundation of narrative is the recording of facts."

"History is not a burden on the memory but an illumination of the soul."

"Humanity will never be at peace until we heal those who suffer."

"The very powerful and the very foolish do not change their opinions."

"Courage is not the absence of fear, but the doing of what is right despite it."

"Each patient must be treated as an individual, not as a case number."

"Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible."

"The true strength of a nation lies in its ability to care for the weak."

"I learned that being human requires perpetual learning."

"Cleanliness is not next to godliness—it is essential to godliness in the care of the sick."

"A woman must have sufficient power to control her own circumstances."

"The greatest sign of success is the ability to inspire others to act."

"Nature itself is the best physician."