What can be more to a man than the exquisite realization of health—a perfect condition of health and strength?
A man should be a fine animal, sound and vigorous,
There can be no first-rate heroism except in a sound body.

There’s nothing makes up for the body,
When the body gives out a man’s about ready to pass in his checks,
Whatever’s to happen hereafter, a man minus a body is of no use here,
That’s why the art preservative of all the arts of living is the conservation of the body.

Health, vim, hope! What is there more than that?
Show health and native qualities, and you are welcome to all the rest,
Certainly that is the whole story—it seems to me that tells all.
Where the city of the healthiest fathers stands,
Where the city of the best-bodied mothers stands,
There the great city stands—perfect physique there—
Only health puts you rapport with the universe.

Perfect health—that state of the man when there is no discord or division in the system, but when all the functions conspire to make a perfect one or whole. Perfect health is simply the right relation of man himself, and all his body and all its laws and the play of them, to nature and its laws and the play of them. When really achieved it dominates all that wealth, schooling, art, successful love, or ambition, or any other of life’s coveted prizes, can possibly confer, and is in itself the sovereign and whole and sufficient good, and the inlet and outlet of every good.

Health: In that condition the whole body is made clear and light, inwardly and outwardly illuminated, purified, solid, strong, yet elastic, buoyant. The play of the body in motion takes a previously unknown grace, in walk and indeed in all movements; in the voice, which rings clearer, and has melody, perhaps, for the first time.

I, now thirty-seven years old, in perfect health begin—
Of reckless health, body perfect, free from taint top to toe, free forever from headache and dyspepsia,
Full-blooded, clean-breathed, a good feeder, drinking water only—
Hoping to cease not till death.

You of centuries hence when you listen to me,
You each and everywhere whom I specify not, but include just the same,
Health to you!
I shall be good health to you, and filter and fibre your blood,
I would give you the entire health, both of spirit and flesh,
From the huge festering trunk, from craft and guile and tears,
Health to emerge, the life of grace and strength and action, from which all else flows.

NEXT: TRAINING FOR HEALTH

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