The Correspondence of Thomas Jefferson
By Subject
EXERCISE
A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercise, I
advise the gun. While this gives a moderate exercise to the body, it
gives boldness, enterprise, and independence to the mind. Games played
with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the
body, and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun, therefore, be
the constant companion of your walks. Never think of taking a book
with you. The object of walking is to relax the mind. You should
therefore not permit yourself even to think while you walk; but divert
yourself by the objects surrounding you. Walking is the best possible
exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very far. The Europeans value
themselves on having subdued the horse to the uses of man; but I doubt
whether we have not ~ost more than we have gained, by the use of this
animal. No one has occasioned so much the degeneracy of the human
body. An Indian goes on foot nearly as far in a day, for a long
journey, as an enfeebled white does on his horse; and he will tire the
best horses. There is no habit you will value so much as that of
walking far without fatigue. I would advise you to take your exercise
in the afternoon: not because it is the best time for exercise, for
certainly it is not; but because it is the best time to spare from
your studies; and habit will soon reconcile it to health, and render
it nearly as useful as if you gave to that the more precious hours of
the day. A little walk of half an hour, in the morning, when you first
rise, is advisable also. It shakes off sleep, and produces other good
effects in the animal economy. Rise at a fixed and an early hour, and
go to bed at a fixed and early hour also. Sitting up late at night is
injurious to the health, and not useful to the mind. Having ascribed
proper hours to exercise, divide what remain (I mean of your vacant
hours) into three portions. Give the principal to History, the other
two, which should be shorter, to Philosophy and Poetry.
to Peter Carr, 19 August 1785
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