When man possesses a good, sound body that does not overpower him nor disturb the equilibrium in him, he possesses a divine gift. In short, a good constitution facilitates the rule of the soul over the body, but it is not impossible to conquer a bad constitution by training.
Interpretation
A sound body is essential for personal harmony and self-mastery.
This quote by Maimonides emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy body to achieve balance and control over one's soul. It suggests that while a good constitution aids in personal governance, it is also possible to overcome physical limitations through discipline and training, highlighting the interplay between physical health and spiritual or mental well-being.
In practice
In a speech about wellness, I quoted Maimonides to emphasize the importance of physical health in achieving personal goals.
If men possessed wisdom, which stands in the same relation to the form of man as the sight to the eye, they would not cause any injury to themselves or to others; for the knowledge of truth removes hatred and quarrels, and prevents mutual injuries.
There are eight rungs in charity. The highest is when you help a man to help himself.
God who preceded all existence is a refuge.
If the whole earth is infinitely small in comparison with the sphere of the stars, what is man compared with all these created beings!
One should see the world, and see himself as a scale with an equal balance of good and evil. When he does one good deed the scale is tipped to the good - he and the world is saved. When he does one evil deed the scale is tipped to the bad - he and the world is destroyed.
Further, there are things of which the mind understands one part, but remains ignorant of the other; and when man is able to comprehend certain things, it does not follow that he must be able to comprehend everything.
The wise man should consider that health is the greatest of human blessings. Let food be your medicine.
The health care industry can play a great role in this by being aware of the fact that these children form perhaps the most neglected group of people in the country, largely because it is hard to find them.
The way to health is to have an aromatic bath and a scented massage every day.
It is changes that are chiefly responsible for diseases, especially the greatest changes, the violent alterations both in the seasons and in other things. (:)...regimen and temperature, and one period of life to another.
When it comes to health care policy, we keep failing to take seriously the value of human relationships. The cost of this oversight is staggering.
...This large and expensive stock of drugs will be unnecessary. By...doses of...medicines...multiplying...combining them properly, 20 to 30 articles, aided by the common resources of the lancet, a garden, a kitchen, fresh air, cool water, exercise, will be sufficient to cure all the diseases that are at present under the power of medicine.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.