Chapter 4—Relation of Diet to Health and Morals
Only one lease of life is granted us; and the inquiry with every
one should be, “How can I invest my powers so that they may yield
the greatest profit? How can I do most for the glory of God and the
benefit of my fellow-men?” For life is valuable only as it is used for
the attainment of these ends.
Our first duty toward God and our fellow-beings is that of self-
development. Every faculty with which the Creator has endowed us
should be cultivated to the highest degree of perfection, that we may be
able to do the greatest amount of good of which we are capable. Hence
that time is spent to good account which is used in the establishment
and preservation of physical and mental health. We cannot afford to
dwarf or cripple any function of body or mind. As surely as we do
this, we must suffer the consequences.
Every man has the opportunity, to a great extent, of making himself
whatever he chooses to be. The blessings of this life, and also of the
immortal state, are within his reach. He may build up a character of
solid worth, gaining new strength at every step. He may advance daily
in knowledge and wisdom, conscious of new delights as he progresses,
adding virtue to virtue, grace to grace. His faculties will improve by
use; the more wisdom he gains, the greater will be his capacity for
acquiring. His intelligence, knowledge, and virtue will thus develop
into greater strength and more perfect symmetry.
On the other hand, he may allow his powers to rust out for want
of use, or to be perverted through evil habits, lack of self-control or
moral and religious stamina. His course then tends downward; he
is disobedient to the law of God and to the laws of health. Appetite
conquers him; inclination carries him away. It is easier for him to allow
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the powers of evil, which are always active, to drag him backward,
than to struggle against them, and go forward. Dissipation, disease,
and death follow. This is the history of many lives that might have
been useful in the cause of God and humanity.
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