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Thomas Jefferson on excercise


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I've often quoted that and, at those who scream the misquote of the wall of separation,  ask if this letter should also be taken as constitutional law.

 

Full letter: https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-08-02-0319#:~:text=Give up money%2C give up,it may appear to you.

 

Partial Context:

 

"In order to assure a certain progress in this reading, consider what hours you have free from the school and the exercises of the school. Give about two of them every day to exercise; for health must not be sacrificed to learning. A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercise, I advise the gun. While this gives a moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprize, and independance to the mind. Games played with the ball and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be the constant companion of your walks. Never think of taking a book with you. The object of walking is to relax the mind. You should therefore not permit yourself even to think while you walk. But divert your attention by the objects surrounding you. Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very far. The Europeans value themselves on having subdued the horse to the uses of man. But I doubt whether we have not lost more than we have gained by the use of this animal. No one has occasioned so much the degeneracy of the human body. An Indian goes on foot nearly as far in a day, for a long journey, as an enfeebled white does on his horse, and he will tire the best horses. There is no habit you will value so much as that of walking far without fatigue. I would advise you to take your exercise in the afternoon. Not because it is the best time for exercise for certainly it is not: but because it is the best time to spare from your studies; and habit will soon reconcile it to health, and render it nearly as useful as if you gave to that the more precious hours of the day. A little walk of half an hour in the morning when you first rise is adviseable also. It shakes off sleep, and produces other good effects in the animal œconomy. Rise at a fixed and an early hour, and go to bed at a fixed and early hour also. Sitting up late at night is injurious to the health, and not useful to the mind.—Having ascribed proper hours to exercise, divide what remain (I mean of your vacant hours) into three portions. Give the principal to history, the other two, which should be shorter, to Philosophy and Poetry."

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I walk almost every day at least a half hour or more. Does a concealed carry pistol count? 😂

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12 minutes ago, Rye Miles #13621 said:

I walk almost every day at least a half hour or more. Does a concealed carry pistol count? 😂


image.gif.5337cd45fd46e2a659f955adc5980397.gif

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One could walk with a barbell bar and carry a pistol. 
 

In boot camp there was a punishment unit that was referred to as “Mo- Tor”. That stood for Motivational Training Unit or something like that. This”training” was basically for screw ups and 1 guy in my Company went every night to lose weight. 
Navy SEALs made guys do calisthenics for 2 hours using 16 pound rifles. 
The guy in my company that did it to lose weight was one scrappy SOB when we left boot camp after 2 months. 
 

Personal Note: I let Otto fix that word Cala…cali…that exercise word. If given that word at a spelling bee I would have just walked of the stage. Not many spelling bees at my house at 06:38, though. :lol:

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Posted (edited)
33 minutes ago, Ozark Huckleberry said:

 

If it's five feet long and weighs ten to fifteen pounds, sure.

Well even though we have open carry in Ohio, I don’t think carrying a 15lb musket or something would go over well in the park that I walk in or my neighborhood for that matter. 
I could follow Pat Riot’s idea of a barbell though! 😂

Edited by Rye Miles #13621
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1 hour ago, Rye Miles #13621 said:

Well even though we have open carry in Ohio, I don’t think carrying a 15lb musket or something would go over well in the park that I walk in or my neighborhood for that matter. 
I could follow Pat Riot’s idea of a barbell though! 😂

 

 

You just have to dress for it!

Colonial English man shows1600s matchlock musket, Jamestown Settlement,  Virginia, USA. | portfolio.photoseek.com

 

Outfitting an American Revolutionary Soldier | NCpedia

 

Opinion | On Guns, a Supreme Court Head-Scratcher: Is a Colonial Musket  'Analogous' to an AR-15? - The New York Times

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12 hours ago, Rye Miles #13621 said:

I walk almost every day at least a half hour or more. Does a concealed carry pistol count? 😂

Rye, 

 

   As long as it's a full metal frame revolver or semi auto. Becsaue those are heavier than most black rifles.........

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3 hours ago, Rye Miles #13621 said:

Well even though we have open carry in Ohio, I don’t think carrying a 15lb musket or something would go over well in the park that I walk in or my neighborhood for that matter. 
I could follow Pat Riot’s idea of a barbell though! 😂

 

1 hour ago, Subdeacon Joe said:

 

 

You just have to dress for it!

 

 

 

Definitely dress the part however, it might help if you don't include the period correct bayonet.  :P

 

image.png.edd2ca7f563c2b119781bb42fd4ff053.png

 

 

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