I don't eat fish and chicken and all that. But I will have some

In the words of the troubadour Tom Petty we hear a confession both humble and profound: “I don’t eat fish and chicken and all that. But I will have some eggs. So I’m not technically a vegan. But I eat pretty sensibly, and before a tour, I will usually work out a lot. I’ll get a trainer, or I have a guy I’ve known a long time.” At first glance, these are but simple words about diet and preparation. Yet beneath their plainness lies a truth as enduring as the wisdom of the ancients: that the body is the vessel of the spirit, and that to walk the path of one’s destiny, one must care for that vessel with balance, moderation, and discipline.

Petty’s statement reveals a deep awareness of moderation. He is not consumed by the extremes of ascetic denial, nor does he surrender to indulgence. He chooses what nourishes him and sets aside what weakens him. This echoes the ancient Greek teaching of the Golden Mean, the middle path between excess and deficiency. Just as Aristotle counseled that virtue lies in balance—between cowardice and recklessness, between gluttony and starvation—so does Petty live by choosing not perfection, but sustainability. His diet is not about titles, labels, or rigid laws. It is about wisdom: eating sensibly, living in harmony with his craft and body.

The mention of his preparation before a tour, the long journeys of song and performance, reminds us of the warriors of old. Before setting forth to battle or pilgrimage, they honed not only their swords but also their bodies and spirits. In the gymnasium of Athens, young men trained not for vanity but for readiness. In the mountains of Japan, the samurai practiced ritual and regimen, knowing that discipline in the body leads to discipline in the soul. So too did Petty, before lifting his guitar and standing before multitudes, summon strength by working out, by calling upon a trusted trainer. His preparation was a ritual of respect—respect for his art, for his audience, and for the vessel that carried him.

Let us remember also the life of Mahatma Gandhi. He, too, shaped his destiny through diet and discipline, not as a rock musician but as a servant of justice. Gandhi adopted a vegetarian diet, fasted often, and chose simplicity, not as self-punishment, but as a means of aligning body and spirit. Through his choices in food and regimen, he maintained the clarity and strength to lead millions. The paths of Gandhi and Petty may seem distant, yet both demonstrate this eternal lesson: that what we consume, and how we prepare, shapes the strength with which we meet the demands of our destiny.

Petty’s honesty—“I’m not technically a vegan”—teaches another truth: that perfection is not required for greatness. The world often tempts us to define ourselves by rigid labels or flawless ideals. Yet true wisdom lies in admitting imperfection, while still striving for balance. He teaches that we need not wear the armor of false purity; rather, we may simply walk the road of moderation, making choices that sustain us without chaining ourselves to impossible standards.

For you, listener of this teaching, there is guidance here. Ask yourself: how do you prepare for the journeys of your life? Do you approach them haphazardly, or with discipline and respect? Do you care for your body, the vessel that carries your spirit? Do you seek balance in what you eat, in how you rest, in how you train for the tasks ahead? Learn from Petty’s words, and let your preparation become part of your ritual, so that when your own “tour” begins—whether in work, in family, or in trials—you shall stand ready.

Practical action is simple but profound: eat with sense, not with indulgence. Move your body with regularity, not as a burden, but as a tribute to the spirit within. Seek guides and companions—like Petty’s trusted trainer—who can strengthen and encourage you. And above all, cast off the need to appear perfect. Instead, pursue what sustains you. By doing so, you will not only endure the road ahead, but you will walk it with strength, balance, and dignity.

Thus Tom Petty, in words plain yet filled with hidden wisdom, joins the voices of the ancients. His teaching is this: life is a journey, and journeys demand preparation. To prepare the body is to prepare the soul. To live with moderation is to live with strength. And to walk in honesty is to walk in freedom. This is the wisdom of the ages, spoken through the voice of a modern bard. Eat sensibly. Train your vessel. Honor your path.