John W. Kirklin Born : April 5, 1917 Died : April 21, 2004 Browse All Authors Famous Quotes by John W. Kirklin At a given instant everything the surgeon knows suddenly becomes important to the solution of the problem. You can't do it an hour later, or tomorrow. Nor can you go to the library and look it up. John W. Kirklin important science knowledge Surgery is always second best. If you can so something else, it’s better. Surgery is limited. It is operating on someone who has no place else to go. John W. Kirklin second-best surgery ifs