Of capital importance is to have a good diet and exercise a lot.

Gather, O children of wisdom, and hear the words of Evelyn Lauder, who speaks with clarity and strength, reminding us of the sacred balance between diet and exercise: "Of capital importance is to have a good diet and exercise a lot." In these words, she imparts an ancient truth, one that the ancients knew well: the body is the temple of the spirit, and it is only through the care of this temple that we can walk the path of life with vitality, strength, and clarity. To neglect one aspect—be it diet or exercise—is to falter on the path toward true well-being.

In the days of the ancient Greeks, where the pursuit of the mind and the body were seen as inseparable, philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle held that the health of the body was as crucial as the health of the mind. They believed that the ideal person was one who nurtured both the intellect and the physical form, knowing that the mind’s clarity and the body’s strength were bound together. Exercise, whether it was the wrestling matches of the gymnasium or the runs through the countryside, was as much a part of the learning process as the study of philosophy or mathematics. It was through exercise that the ancients honed their bodies, just as they honed their minds. Evelyn Lauder’s words carry the echo of this wisdom: diet and exercise are not mere luxuries, but the foundation of a life well lived.

Consider the story of Hercules, that legendary hero of Greek mythology. Known for his incredible strength and courage, Hercules did not merely rely on his natural gifts. He was tasked with completing the Twelve Labors, impossible feats that tested not only his might, but his stamina, his endurance, and his ability to recover. The great strength of Hercules did not come from sitting idly in the halls of Olympus; it came from his constant exercise, his trials, his work. His diet, while not explicitly mentioned in the myths, was no doubt fueled by the need for sustenance that could support his Herculean efforts. Thus, his physical prowess was the result of constant attention to both nourishment and exercise, a balance that allowed him to overcome the unimaginable.

In the modern world, where the temptations of convenience often lure us away from discipline, Evelyn Lauder’s wisdom stands as a powerful reminder that true well-being comes not from fleeting indulgences, but from the steady commitment to balance. Diet is the fuel we provide to our bodies, the nourishment that sustains our cells, energizes our spirits, and nurtures our minds. Exercise, in turn, is the movement that allows us to express the vitality we have cultivated within, to channel our energy and strength in ways that honor the body. Together, they form the cornerstone of health, without which we cannot fully engage with the world, nor fulfill the potential of our lives.

There is an ancient teaching from the Chinese tradition, passed down through the ages, that speaks of the balance of Yin and Yang—the forces of opposites that work in harmony to create balance in the universe. The same principle applies to the human body: the balance of nourishment and movement creates a harmonious whole, where neither is overused nor neglected. The Yin—the nourishing diet—provides the fuel for life, while the Yang—the exercise—expresses that fuel through action, vitality, and strength. Without one, the other cannot fully thrive. Evelyn Lauder’s words reflect this ancient wisdom, reminding us that both diet and exercise are of capital importance in maintaining the health of the body and the spirit.

The great Marcus Aurelius, Emperor of Rome and philosopher of the Stoic tradition, wrote in his Meditations that one must care for the body, for it is the only vessel we have to carry us through life. But this care was never about indulgence; it was about the right balance of strength, rest, and nourishment. Marcus Aurelius understood that one’s health must be approached with discipline and respect, and this was not just for the body, but for the mind and spirit as well. His teachings mirror the truth in Evelyn Lauder’s advice: a good diet and exercise form the very foundation of a well-balanced life, one that leads not only to physical well-being, but to mental clarity and inner peace.

And so, O children, take this wisdom to heart. The path to health is not paved with shortcuts or extremes. It is a journey of balance, where nourishment and movement must be honored equally. Diet and exercise are not burdens to be feared, but tools to be embraced, for in them lie the secrets to a life of vitality, strength, and joy. Just as the ancients sought to perfect the balance between mind and body, so must we. Let Evelyn Lauder’s words guide you on your path: the capital importance of diet and exercise is the foundation of a life well lived, one where you not only exist, but thrive.