You know, “Good health is not simply the absence…” is one of those quotes that flips your entire perspective. It moves the goalposts from just avoiding sickness to actively chasing a life full of energy. It’s a game-changer for how we think about our own well-being.
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Meaning
This quote argues that true health isn’t just about not being sick; it’s about possessing a positive, vibrant energy that allows you to truly live.
Explanation
Look, for the longest time, we’ve all been conditioned to think of health in negative terms. You go to the doctor, they run tests, and if they don’t find anything wrong, you’re declared “healthy.” But that’s a seriously low bar. It’s like saying a car is in great condition just because the “check engine” light isn’t on. What this quote does—and this is the powerful part—is it redefines the entire playing field. It’s not about the absence of a problem. It’s about the presence of a positive force. Are you just getting by, or are you thriving? Do you have the vitality to pursue your passions, to engage deeply with your family, to wake up excited for the day? That’s the real metric. That’s the difference between surviving and actually living.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Health (243) |
| Topics | prevention (12), vitality (7), wellness (23) |
| Literary Style | clear (348), insightful (43) |
| Emotion / Mood | empowering (174), hopeful (357) |
| Overall Quote Score | 78 (178) |
Origin & Factcheck
This specific phrasing comes straight from the 2010 book Doctor Chopra Says by Sanjiv Chopra, Alan Lotvin, and David Fisher. You’ll often see similar sentiments floating around, sometimes mistakenly attributed to older philosophers or even the World Health Organization’s definition, but the concise, powerful wording here is definitively theirs.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Sanjiv Chopra (48) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | Doctor Chopra Says: Medical Facts and Myths Everyone Should Know (48) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1892) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Dr Sanjiv Chopra is an American physician, hepatologist, and professor of medicine (emeritus) at Harvard Medical School. He served as Faculty Dean for Continuing Medical Education at Harvard and practiced at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. He writes and speaks on wellness, purpose, longevity, and leadership. The Dr Sanjiv Chopra book list features Leadership by Example, Dr. Chopra Says, The Big Five, The Two Most Important Days, and Brotherhood with his brother Deepak Chopra. He continues to mentor clinicians and inspire general readers through keynotes and media.
| Official Website | Facebook | X| Instagram
Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | Good health is not simply the absence of disease; it is the presence of vitality |
| Book Details | Publication Year: 2010; ISBN: 978-0312611742; Last Edition: 1st Edition; Number of Pages: 304. |
| Where is it? | Chapter 1: What Is Health?, Approximate page from 2010 edition |