The Hippocratic Aphorisms is a well-known treatise which was very popular
throughout the ages. This paper studies the Arabic translation of [Hdotu]unayn
ibn Ishaq, the renowned Arab translator, of the first book of the Aphorisms
as well as the commentary of Ibn al-Nafīs, the thirteenth-century Arab doctor,
on the same book. This study highlights the difficulties that occasionally
confronted the Arab commentator while commenting. The obscurity of a few
Hippocratic sentences as well as [Hdotu]unayn's interpretation and alteration in
meaning were probable sources for those difficulties. Ibn al-Nafīs, however,
was unaware of the role played by [Hdotu]unayn in shaping the Arabic text. Ibn al-Nafīs
reflected a deep trust in the Arabic text to the degree of commenting
on every single word. He used both his intellect and his knowledge of other
commentaries to solve those problematic phrases. He did not exhibit an
interest in philological matters to help explain the text. His commentaries
reflect his respect and appreciation for both Hippocrates and Galen, the latter
of whom exercised some influence on [Hdotu]unayn and Ibn al-Nafīs in their
understanding of the work. Nonetheless both [Hdotu]unayn and Ibn al-Nafīs
showed traces of independence from Galen's influence.