Healthy Sayings Are Medicine
While reading books on aphorisms, I discovered many health-preserving sayings. These concise, easy-to-understand phrases greatly benefit self-care.
Some healthy sayings embody medical principles: “Health is the greatest wealth”; “Debt-free prosperity, illness-free happiness, health worth a thousand gold”; “There are countless diseases, but only one health”; “Sweat without facing the wind, run without bending the chest”; “Cold starts from the feet, illness enters through the mouth”; “Treat illness early, prevent disease early”; “Open windows, let in sunlight; ventilate, maintain health”; “Small ailments untreated become big ones hard to cure”; “Three parts medicine, seven parts care”; “Big illness needs care, small illness needs resistance, no illness needs prevention.” These sayings are gems of wisdom, deeply philosophical—truly potent remedies for health preservation and physical strengthening.
“Constant labor brings ease” and “Eating ginseng is less effective than sleeping till dawn” directly emphasize that sufficient sleep is the cornerstone of health. “To stay free of illness, always leave room for hunger” and “To stay strong, chew food into pulp” clearly highlight the importance of dietary moderation. “Living simply reduces greed, clear mind ensures early sleep” and “Peace of mind removes illness” and “Laugh often, stay healthy; worry endlessly, age fast” underscore how mental health eliminates worries and depression. Sayings like “Diligence strengthens, idleness causes illness,” “Harvest comes from labor, health from exercise,” “If you want health, exercise daily,” and “Exercise is elixir, hygiene is remedy” are down-to-earth and full of fun.
Many aphorisms urge cultivating good habits: “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”; “Avoid cold leftovers, cut dinner portions by one-third”; “Eat small meals frequently, live long and prosper.” Also, maintaining personal hygiene—frequent bathing—is beneficial. “Wash clothes and bathe often, sunbeds regularly—fewer illnesses”; “Trim nails often, avoid disease.”
Emotions and health are closely linked. Optimistic, cheerful individuals have stronger resistance and benefit longevity. Sayings like “Anger ages you, laughter makes you young” and “Smile three times a day, never grow old; frown three times, even if young, age fast” hold truth. In recent years after retirement, I’ve read these aphorisms regularly—they constantly remind me to cherish life and prioritize self-care. Not only has my quality of life improved, but they’ve also enriched my spiritual and cultural life.