Lest it sound as if I resent my day job, I have to say that my day job is the reason I write, and it has been the best thing for me as a writer. Abraham Verghese dayjobreason Change image and share on social
The flip side of suicide is that it leaves a lingering question in the minds of the people who survived. It's like a cancer that's metastasized. The suicide is the cancer and the metastasis is all these people saying, Why? Why? Why? Abraham Verghese cancerflipleaf share on social
Patients know in a heartbeat if they're getting a clumsy exam. Abraham Verghese clumsyexamheartbeat Change image and share on social
I write by stealing time. The hours in the day have never felt as if they belonged to me. The greatest number has belonged to my day job as a physician and professor of medicine - eight to 12 hours, and even more in the early days. Abraham Verghese belongdayearly share on social
Modern society has evolved to the point where we counter the old-fashioned fatalism surrounding the word 'cancer' by embracing the idea of the Uber-mind - that our will possesses nearly supernatural powers. Abraham Verghese cancercounterembrace share on social
There's something universal about illness... Whether you like it, at some level all patients are saying, 'Daddy, Mommy, help me, tell me it's going to be alright.' Abraham Verghese alrightdaddyillness Change image and share on social
When you have a natural genetic tan developed over centuries and many generations, the idea of soaking up rays by the pool has never made sense. Abraham Verghese centurydevelopgeneration Change image and share on social
Though I am fascinated by knowledge, I am even more fascinated by wisdom. Abraham Verghese fascinateknowledgewisdom Change image and share on social
You can't show up at the bedside and then turn on your skills. You have to keep your game sharp all the time. Abraham Verghese bedsidegamesharp Change image and share on social
My deceased patients have taught me over the years to believe in the glass half full, to make good use of the time we have, to be generous - that was their lesson for the Uber-mind, and it was free. 'Do that,' they said, 'and then perhaps death shall have no dominion.' Abraham Verghese deathdeceasedominion share on social