Rebellion of the body

[rocktupac]

Again, forgive me if this has already been addressed (I tried searching for it but found nothing). I can slightly recall reading a quotation either from or about Alexander pertaining to moderation and self-control. It contained the line "rebellion of the body" or something close to it.

Can someone help steer me in the right direction to find where this quote is used or if I'm just imagining it. Thanks.

[amyntoros]

Again, forgive me if this has already been addressed (I tried searching for it but found nothing). I can slightly recall reading a quotation either from or about Alexander pertaining to moderation and self-control. It contained the line "rebellion of the body" or something close to it.

Can someone help steer me in the right direction to find where this quote is used or if I'm just imagining it. Thanks.

Hi rocktupac,

I do not recall the term "rebellion of the body" being used by any ancient source regarding Alexander. It's possible that you may have read a different translation of a particular piece, but I suspect (though I could be wrong) that you've read someone's interpretation of a quote. For instance, Page 26 of A History of Ideas about the Prolongation of Life by Gerald Joseph Gruman (which you can find on Google Booksearch) contains this sentence:

Also interesting is the belief that, along with death, the rebellion of the body against the soul produced sexual lust.

So ... reading the above quote and applying it to Alexander would suggest

Plutarch: Alexander 22. He also used to say that it was sleep and sexual intercourse which more than anything else, reminded him that he was mortal; by this he meant that both exhaustion and pleasure proceed from the same weakness of human nature.

or, perhaps

Plutarch: Alexander 4. Even while he was still a boy, he gave plenty of evidence of his powers of self-control. In spite of his vehement and impulsive nature, he showed little interest in the pleasures of the senses and indulged in them only with great moderation, but his passionate desire for fame implanted in his a pride and a grandeur of vision which went far beyond his years.

Now if the term "rebellion of the body" (or similar) does exist in a source that I don't know about, I'd hazard a guess that it can be found in the works of one of the early Christian writers. I have files containing excerpts from many, but they were very prolific (St. Augustine comes immediately to mind!) and I'm sure that I don't have everything written by them on Alexander.

Best regards,

[marcus]

I have files containing excerpts from many, but they were very prolific (St. Augustine comes immediately to mind!) and I'm sure that I don't have everything written by them on Alexander.

That's just not good enough. I don't know how you can trivialise such a serious oversight with such a slight emoticon. Shame on you!

Oh ...

ATB

[jasonxx]

I would guess that this refers to the assumtion Alexanders body was rebelling against the So Called bull of Alcohol Abuse and Physical abuse Alexander had put himself through.

[rocktupac]

Just to add on to my original question, now that I've thought about it more, the quote was something like: "Although the rebellion of the body (or pleasures in excess) may seem good at first, moderation at all times is far wiser."

That's not the exact quote but it was along those lines; I'm sure I've heard it somewhere. Whether it was in a primary or secondary source, etc., I'm not sure. Sorry.

[jasonxx]

I dont think Alexander knew or belived in moderation. Although he Kneww when to take his time if porpose required. Other wise he was full on.

[amyntoros]

Just to add on to my original question, now that I've thought about it more, the quote was something like: "Although the rebellion of the body (or pleasures in excess) may seem good at first, moderation at all times is far wiser."

Hmm, afraid I still don't recognize it as being from the primary sources. It could be, as I said, from an early Christian work though. Or even a modern work, although the slightly moralistic tone suggests to me tha it isn't too recent.

Best regards,