"The design of nature is therefore evidently to strengthen the body, before the mind is exercised."

— Rousseau, Jean-Jacques (1712-1778); Kenrick, William (1729/30-1779)


Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for R. Griffiths and T. Becket
Date
1761
Metaphor
"The design of nature is therefore evidently to strengthen the body, before the mind is exercised."
Metaphor in Context
The understanding does not begin to form itself till after some years, and when the corporeal organs have acquired a certain consistence. The design of nature is therefore evidently to strengthen the body, before the mind is exercised. Children are always in motion; rest and reflection is inconsistent with their age; a studious and sedentary life would prevent their growth and injure their health; neither their body nor mind can support restraint. Shut up perpetually in a room with their books, they lose their vigour, become delicate, feeble, sickly, rather stupid than reasonable; and their minds suffer, during their whole lives, for the weakness of their bodies.
(III, p. 260)
Categories
Provenance
Google Books
Citation
At least ten entries in the ESTC (1761, 1764, 1767, 1769, 1776, 1784, 1795).

Text from Eloisa: Or, a Series of Original Letters Collected and Published by J.J. Rousseau. Translated from the French. 4 vols. (London: Printed for R. Griffiths and T. Becket, 1761). <Link to Vol. I><Link to Vol. II><Link to Vol. III><Link to Vol. IV>
Date of Entry
07/14/2013

The Mind is a Metaphor is authored by Brad Pasanek, Assistant Professor of English, University of Virginia.