“The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don’t want, drink what you don’t like, and do what you’d rather not.”
- November 30, 1835 – April 21, 1910
- American
- Author, humorist, and lecturer
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Quote
“The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don’t want, drink what you don’t like, and do what you’d rather not.”
Explanation
Mark Twain’s quote humorously critiques the often unpleasant sacrifices that are necessary to maintain good health. He suggests that in order to stay healthy, you must engage in actions that are the opposite of what most people would naturally desire—eating things that don’t taste good, drinking things you find unappealing, and doing activities that are hard or inconvenient. The humor comes from the exaggeration of this idea, suggesting that maintaining health requires constant discomfort and self-discipline, which contradicts the idea that living well should be an enjoyable experience.
This remark reflects Twain’s ironic perspective on the human condition: while health is something people often take for granted, achieving and maintaining it often requires effort, sacrifice, and doing things that are far from enjoyable. The quote touches on the tension between what we want (comfort, pleasure) and what is good for us (exercise, healthy food, moderation).
In modern contexts, this quote resonates with how we approach health and wellness today, especially in a world filled with tempting junk food, convenience, and sedentary lifestyles. Twain’s words humorously remind us that taking care of our bodies often requires us to make choices that aren’t easy or enjoyable in the moment, but are ultimately beneficial in the long run. His humor encourages us to acknowledge the discomfort in living healthily, but also the necessary trade-offs that come with it.
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