A Strong Mind in a Strong Body

Love the Greeks!

Not only is it the birthplace of western civilization, medicine, mathematics, written language as we know it, the Olympic games... it's also the birth place of my wife's father.

Yes, my wife Angie is Greek and that makes my son part Greek too. Nice to have a connection to that amazing civilization -- there ample reason to have loads of pride for all Greeks.

But that leads me to share today's mystery... have you seen the following quote or reference?

“mens sana in corpore sano”

You probably know it's translation as "A sound mind in a sound body" or perhaps the other popular version, "A healthy mind in a healthy body."

Well, I know the quote is in Latin but everything I'd ever read attributed the origin as Greek. So, I've been living for years with the belief that it was the Greeks, at times even believing it was Socrates who said it...

Now I come to see that perhaps it's not from the Greeks! Hummm... Wikipedia is attributing it to a first century Roman poet, Juvenal.

Well, I liked it better when it was of Greek origin... and who knows, one can hope this is inaccurate but likely not. And heck, isn't it all pretty much of Greek origin any way... Either way, there's no doubt that the Greeks lived to this philosophy - they knew that a strong mind could only be found in a strong body.

Yes, that's my version of this still ancient quote, A Strong Mind in a Strong Body.

The time when health was enough has passed... if you want to excel, to achieve, to contribute in this world today you need more than passing grade of health -- it is a time for strength!

A Little Greek History

The word gymnasium is derived from gumnazo, meaning exercise, and gumnos, meaning naked or loin-clothed. The gymnasia were the ancient Greek equivalent of a sports centre, and several were located just outside Athens' city walls. The ancient Greeks regarded a healthy body almost as highly as a good education, and young men of wealthy background would spend a good portion of each day exercising there. Favourite sports included wrestling, javelin and discus throwing, and boxing.
For more Greek History from PBS, click here

Until next time... carpe diem!

Comments

[Mike]

This thought porcess has been on my mind a lot lately. I was fit until my kids came along. I have now spent the last 11 years losing and gaining back 60-70 pounds. I am currently at the high water mark. I still consider my mind to be strong, but for how long? (And while I am at it how does a strong mind let its body become weak, but that is another conversation.)

Is it just a matter of time before my mind becomes weak from living in a pale version of my best body. Am I just one more crisis away from being classified as a weak mind in a fat body. There are so many Successful people who are not fit but are they in the same boat as me close to the edge of having it all tumble down.

I do believe that a strong body makes for a strong mind and I believe that you are more successful on a more consistent basis for a loner period of time if you are fit. There are more opportunites just from the confidence boost alone and that is before you get to the increased energy that you have so that you can take advantage of those opportunies.

Bottom line I agree and I am committed to getting that storng body to go with my strong mind.

Mike