16
Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 2
Vigor of Mind Depends Upon the Body (counsels to writers
and ministers)—Obey the principles of health reform and educate
others to do this. The health of the mind is to a large degree dependent
upon the health of the body, and the health of the body is dependent
upon the way in which the living machinery is treated. Eat only that
food which will keep your stomach in the most healthy condition.
You need to learn more thoroughly the philosophy of taking proper
care of yourself in regard to the matter of diet. Arrange your work so
that you can have your meals at regular hours. You must exercise a
special care in this matter. Remember that to live the truth as it is in
[388]
Jesus requires much self-discipline.—Lt 297, 1904.
Irregular Hours and Careless Inattention to Laws of Health—
The mind does not wear out nor break down so often on account of
diligent employment and hard study as on account of eating improper
food at improper times, and of careless inattention to the laws of
health Irregular hours for eating and sleeping sap the brain forces. The
apostle Paul declares that he who would be successful in reaching a
high standard of godliness must be temperate in all things. Eating,
drinking, and dressing all have a direct bearing upon our spiritual
advancement.—
The Youth’s Instructor, May 31, 1894
.
Overcrowding the Stomach Weakens the Mind—Overeating,
even of the most wholesome food, is to be guarded against. Nature
can use no more than is required for building up the various organs of
the body, and excess clogs the system. Many a student is supposed to
have broken down from overstudy, when the real cause was overeating.
While proper attention is given to the laws of health there is little
danger from mental taxation, but in many cases of so-called mental
failure it is the overcrowding of the stomach that wearies the body and
weakens the mind.—
Education, 205
(1903).
Indulgence Blunts Nobler Sentiments of Mind—The indul-
gence of appetite in overeating is gluttony. The great variety of foods
often taken at one meal is enough to create a disordered stomach and
a disordered temper. Therefore God requires of every human being
cooperation with Him, that none may go beyond his proper bound-
ary in overeating or in partaking of improper articles of food. This
indulgence strengthens the animal propensities and blunts the nobler
sentiments of the mind. The whole being is degraded, and the human