Literary notes about Patient (AI summary)
In literature, "patient" serves a double function, referring both to a person undergoing treatment and to a state of enduring calm under duress. It frequently describes characters who accept hardship and delay gratification with quiet resolve, as seen in reflections on moral endurance and self-restraint ([1], [2]), while also giving a literal sense of medical care or clinical observation ([3], [4], [5], [6]). Meanwhile, the word enriches portrayals of human temperament, capturing both the physical role of those under treatment and the figurative quality of measured perseverance, as evidenced by its varied use in works ranging from religious texts to detective narrations ([7], [8], [9], [10]).
- To SUSTAIN and to ABSTAIN, that is, to be patient and continent, appeared to some of the ancients a summary comprehension of all morals.
— from An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals by David Hume - It is the result of long and patient effort in self-control.
— from As a man thinketh by James Allen - When the patient has been released in this doubtful manner, and is taken to Mr. Fairlie, does he recognise her?
— from The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins - The patient and I then plunged into a discussion of his case, of which I took exhaustive notes.
— from The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle - The patient was now breathing stertorously and it was easy to see that he had suffered some terrible injury.
— from Dracula by Bram Stoker - Dr. D—— resolved at once to remain with the patient all night, while Dr. F—— took leave with a promise to return at daybreak.
— from The Works of Edgar Allan Poe — Volume 2 by Edgar Allan Poe - He found Holmes leaning languidly against the mantelpiece, resigned and patient, endeavouring to conceal his irrepressible yawns.
— from The Return of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle - The Lord is gracious and merciful: patient and plenteous in mercy.
— from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete - You’ll just need to be patient awhile, and then you’ll be all right.
— from A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle - But thou, our God, art gracious and true, patient, and ordering all things in mercy.
— from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete
