Healthy Sayings Are Healing Medicine
While reading books on aphorisms, I discovered many health-preserving sayings. These concise, easy-to-understand phrases are highly beneficial for self-care.
Some healthy aphorisms contain medical wisdom, such as: “Health is the greatest wealth,” “Debt-free prosperity, illness-free happiness, health is worth a thousand gold,” “There are countless diseases, but only one health,” “Sweat without facing wind, run without bending chest,” “Cold starts from the feet, disease enters through the mouth,” “Treat illness early, prevent illness before it occurs,” “Open windows to let in sunlight; ventilate to maintain health,” “Neglect small ailments, big problems become hard to cure,” “Three parts medicine, seven parts care,” “For major illness, care; for minor illness, resist; for no illness, prevent,” etc. These sayings are truly insightful, profound, and act like potent medicines for health preservation and physical strengthening.
“Constant labor reveals true rest,” “Eating ginseng is less effective than sleeping past midnight”—directly emphasizing that sufficient sleep is the cornerstone of good health. “To avoid illness, always leave room for hunger,” “To stay strong, chew food into pulp”—clearly highlighting the importance of eating in moderation. “Live simply, reduce desires, keep mind clear, sleep early”—“Peace of mind eliminates illness,” “Laugh often, stay healthy; worry deeply, shorten life”—emphasize how mental health dispels worries and depression. Phrases like “Diligence makes one strong, idleness causes illness,” “Harvest depends on labor, health on exercise,” “To stay healthy, exercise daily,” “Exercise is the elixir, hygiene is the remedy”—are close to daily life, humorous, and engaging.
Many aphorisms urge forming good habits of diet and daily routines: “Go to bed early, rise early—eyes and nose rejoice; stay up late, rise late—body lacks energy,” “To avoid insomnia, cook porridge with white lotus seeds,” “Sunbathe often, stay strong as steel,” “Never eat leftover cold food, reduce evening meals by one-third,” “Eat small meals frequently, enjoy long life.” Also, maintaining personal hygiene—frequent bathing—is beneficial for health. For example: “Wash clothes and bathe often, air bedding regularly—fewer diseases,” “Trim nails frequently—diseases won’t come near.”
Emotions and health are closely linked. People with positive emotions and cheerful moods enhance resistance and benefit longevity. Sayings like “Anger ages you, laughter rejuvenates” and “Laugh three times a day, never grow old; fret three times a day, even if young, you’ll age”—hold truth. In recent years after retirement, I’ve often read these aphorisms, which constantly remind me to cherish life and value self-care. Not only has this improved my quality of life in later years, but it has also enriched my spiritual and cultural life.