The gymnasium of running, walking on stilts, climbing, etc., steels and makes hardy single powers and muscles, but dancing, like a corporeal poesy, embellishes, exercises, and equalizes all the muscles at once.
—Jean Paul (1763–1825) German Novelist, Philosopher
Why do strong arms fatigue themselves with frivolous dumbbells? To dig a vineyard is worthier exercise for men.
—Martial (40–104) Ancient Roman Latin Poet
I take the true definition of exercise to be, labor without weariness.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Let me tell you what I think of bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. It gives women a feeling of freedom and self-reliance. I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a wheel…the picture of free, untrammeled womanhood.
—Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906) American Civil Rights Leader
Living from the Creator Orientation is actually more challenging. In the Victim Orientation, I didn’t have to exercise conscious choice; I just reacted to my circumstances.
—David Emerald
A pedestrian is a man in danger of his life. A walker is a man in possession of his soul.
—David Mccord (1897–1997) American Poet
Jogging is very beneficial. It’s good for your legs and your feet. It’s also very good for the ground. It makes it feel needed.
—Charles M. Schulz (1922–2000) American Cartoonist, Writer, Artist
Exercise is the yuppie version of bulimia.
—Barbara Ehrenreich (1941–2022) American Social Critic, Essayist
I believe that the Good Lord gave us a finite number of heartbeats and I’m damned if I’m going to use up mine running up and down a street.
—Neil Armstrong (1930–2012) American Astronaut
Such is the constitution of man, that labor may be styled its own reward.—Nor will any external incitements be requisite if it be considered how much happiness is gained, and how much misery escaped, by frequent and violent agitation of the body.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Whenever I feel like exercise I lie down until the feeling passes.
—Robert Maynard Hutchins (1899–1977) American Educational Philosopher
A fat stomach never breeds fine thoughts.
—Jerome (347–420) Greek Priest, Apologist, Saint
If we could give every individual the right amount of nourishment and exercise, not too little and not too much, we would have found the safest way to health.
—Hippocrates (460–370 BCE) Ancient Greek Physician
The only way for a rich man to be healthy is by exercise and abstinence, to live as if he was poor; which are esteemed the worst parts of poverty.
—William Temple (1881–1944) English Theologian, Archbishop
Exercise: you don’t have time not to.
—Unknown
I get my exercise acting as a pallbearer to my friends who exercise.
—Chauncey Depew (1834–1928) American Lawyer, Politician, Raconteur
In the course of heir careers in the American schools of today, most students take hundreds, if not thousands, of tests. They develop skill to a highly calibrated degree in an exercise that will essentially become useless immediately after their last day in school.
—Howard Gardner (b.1943) American Cognitive Psychologist
We are under exercised as a nation. We look instead of play. We ride instead of walk. Our existence deprives us of the minimum of physical activity essential for healthy living.
—John F. Kennedy (1917–63) American Head of State, Journalist
I don’t exercise. If God had wanted me to bend over, he would have put diamonds on the floor.
—Joan Rivers (1933–2014) American Comedienne, Writer
Use it or lose it.
—Jimmy Connors (b.1952) American Tennis Player
Exercise is labor without weariness.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
I have never taken any exercise except sleeping and resting.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
It is exercise alone that supports the spirits, and keeps the mind in vigor.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
Exercise is the chief source of improvement in our faculties.
—Hugh Blair (1718–1800) Scottish Preacher, Scholar, Critic
I would not that death should take me asleep. I would not have him merely seize me, and only declare me to be dead, but win me, and overcome me. When I must shipwreck, I would do it in a sea, where mine impotency might have some excuse; not in a sullen weedy lake, where I could not have so much as exercise for my swimming.
—John Donne (1572–1631) English Poet, Cleric
Sorrow is a kind of rust of the soul which every new idea contributes in its passage to scour away. It is the putrefaction of stagnant life, and is remedied by exercise and motion.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
If you are healthy, you don’t need it: if you are sick you shouldn’t take it.
—Malcolm S. Forbes (1919–1990) American Publisher, Businessperson
Exercise and temperance can preserve something of our early strength even in old age.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.
—Fred Allen (1894–1956) American Comedian, Radio Personality
Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very far.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
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