Cuivis dolori remedium est patientia.
(Publilius Syrus, Sententia 96)

The remedy for any pain or suffering is patience.

(pron = KWEE-wis doh-LOH-ree reh-MEH-dee-oom ehst pah-tee-EHN-tee-ah)

Comment: I can give a hesitant "yes" and "no" to these sentiments. Certainly
in Publilius Syrus' day, patience may have been one of the few "remedies" that
could be counted on for many pains in life. Medical advancement was NOT one of
Rome's contributions to the world. And, certainly, patience allows one to
observe and take in all that is happening in one's life, one's body, one's
relationships.

However, that observing and taking in requires an attention that "patience" does
not necessarily include. If I am in serious physical or emotional pain, I may
have no attention to give; the pain may be so distracting. And we know from
modern advancements in medicine that waiting can be deadly. Cancer doesn't get
better by waiting. Strep throat doesn't get better through patience.

What is perhaps better wisdom is: in the midst of pain, observe deeply, and then
act based on what you observe. Patience, openness, deep listening, deep seeing,
and responding to the mirrors in front of us. In this, patience is a help, for
often, we act and react in order to avoid what we really see, what we really
hear.