Time heals all wounds

Definition

The passage of time will eventually ease emotional pain and help people recover from grief, heartbreak, or trauma.

Etymology

This phrase dates back to ancient times, with similar sentiments found in Greek and Latin literature. The English version became popular in the 14th century, reflecting the universal human observation that emotional pain tends to diminish over time.

Kelly Says

Interestingly, modern psychology has validated this ancient wisdom - studies show that the intensity of emotional memories does fade over time due to how our brains process and store traumatic experiences. However, the phrase assumes that time alone is sufficient, while contemporary therapy recognizes that active healing work often accelerates the process.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.