"Time is generally the best doctor"

Ovid’s observation that “Time is generally the best doctor” highlights the remarkable healing that the passage of time can provide, both physically and emotionally. Experiences that initially seem overwhelming or wounds that feel impossible to bear often become less painful as days and years go by. The struggles and disappointments that strike hardest in the moment gradually lose their intensity; memories of loss, heartbreak, or failure, while never fully erased, are softened by the rhythms of life moving forward. With time, perspectives shift and resilience grows. What once felt like a permanent crisis eventually settles into the broader narrative of a person’s life, transformed into memory rather than immediate reality.

The healing touch of time is not just metaphorical. Physically, many ailments and injuries naturally improve with rest and patience, as the body works through its own processes of repair and recovery. Emotionally, time can dull the rawness of sorrow and allow space for acceptance, forgiveness, and growth. Problems that appear insurmountable often yield to the slow work of gradual change, making room for hope and possibility.

Ovid’s insight also warns against the impatience that often accompanies suffering. Humans frequently desire instant relief or resolution, yet many issues cannot be solved by force of will alone. Endurance, therefore, becomes a necessary virtue; letting time take its course allows wounds to heal at their own pace. Worry and resistance can prolong suffering, but acceptance of time’s vital role can ease that burden.

Ultimately, Ovid’s phrase suggests faith in life’s continuity and the power of endurance. While time does not always, or entirely, erase pain, it most often brings comfort or clarity, letting people adapt and find meaning beyond their struggles. The wisdom lies in trusting the gentle, persistent doctoring of the days as they pass, and allowing oneself room to heal and grow.