--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: How many ills, how many infirmities, does…" description: "\"“How many ills, how many infirmities, does man owe to his excesses, his ambition – in a word, to the indulgence of his various passions! He who should ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/095/allan-kardec-27119_afterlife_how-many-ills-how-many-infirmities-does_1793427.jpg" --- # How many ills, how many infirmities, does man owe to his… ![“How many ills, how many infirmities, does man owe to his excesses, his ambition – in a word, to the indulgence of his various passions! He who should live soberly in all respects, who should never run into excesses of any kind, who should be always simple in his tastes, modest in his desires…” quote by Allan Kardec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/095/allan-kardec-27119_afterlife_how-many-ills-how-many-infirmities-does_1793427.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/095/allan-kardec-27119_afterlife_how-many-ills-how-many-infirmities-does_1793427.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/095/allan-kardec-27119_afterlife_how-many-ills-how-many-infirmities-does_1793427.jpg) > ““How many ills, how many infirmities, does man owe to his excesses, his ambition – in a word, to the indulgence of his various passions! He who should live soberly in all respects, who should never run into excesses of any kind, who should be always simple in his tastes, modest in his desires, would escape a large proportion of the tribulations of human life. It is the same with regard to spirit-life, the sufferings of which are always the consequence of the manner in which a spirit has lived upon the earth. In that life undoubtedly he will no longer suffer from gout or rheumatism; but his wrong-doing down here will cause him to experience other sufferings no less painful. We have seen that those sufferings are the result of the links which exist between a spirit and matter; that the more completely he is freed from the influence of matter – in other words, the more dematerialized he is – the fewer are the painful sensations experienced by him. It depends, therefore, on each of us to free ourselves from the influence of matter by our action in this present life. Man possesses free-will, and, consequently, the power of electing to do or not to do. Let him conquer his animal passions; let him rid himself of hatred, envy, jealousy, pride; let him throw off the yoke of selfishness; let him purify his soul by cultivating noble sentiments; let him do good; let him attach to the things of this world only the degree of importance which they deserve – and he will, even under his present corporeal envelope, have effected his purification, and achieved his deliverance from the influence of matter, which will cease for him on his quitting that envelope. For such a one the remembrance of physical sufferings endured by him in the life he has quitted has nothing painful, and produces no disagreeable impression, because they affected his body only, and left no trace in his soul. He is happy to be relieved from them; and the calmness of a good conscience exempts him from all moral suffering.”” [Allan Kardec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allan-kardec/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Living simply and mastering passions reduces physical and spiritual suffering, leading to inner freedom and moral peace. **In simple terms:** Simplicity and self‑control lessen pain and free the soul. Key Takeaway Cultivate virtue, limit desire. Themes self‑control spirituality ethics well‑being freedom Mood reflective calm inspirational Type philosophical motivational spiritual When to use this quote - personal development - daily meditation - ethical decision‑making - stress reduction Key Concepts determinism free will materialism purification Questions to Reflect On - How can you identify your most harmful passions? - What daily practice helps you stay modest in desires? A Different Perspective Materialism can still dominate despite effort; external circumstances may limit control. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Afterlife](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afterlife/) [Ambitions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambitions/) [Conscience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscience/) [Excess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excess/) [Human life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-life/) [Indulgence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indulgence/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Moderation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moderation/) [Moral Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral-suffering-1965938/) [Personal growth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/personal-growth/) [Present life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/present-life/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) [Spiritual growth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual-growth/) [Spirituality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirituality/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) [Sufferings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sufferings/) [Sufferings Consequence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sufferings-consequence-1965937/) ## Related quotes > [“I suppose, he was thinking, that we heard this tale of the Herzogs ten times a year. 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I’ve made mistakes aplenty.” “Show me a man who hasn’t, and I will show you a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mcguire/i-ve-brought-the-sufferings-on-myself-i-d-say-i-ve-made-mistakes/) [Ian McGuire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mcguire/) > [There is no affliction, trial, or labor difficult to endure, when we consider the torments and sufferings which Our Lord Jesus Christ endured for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teresa-of-vila/there-is-no-affliction-trial-or-labor-difficult-to-endure-when-we/) [Teresa of Avila](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teresa-of-vila/) > [One's own troubles can be borne with fortitude; only a monster of indifference can bear the sufferings of others with fortitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-ertz/one-s-own-troubles-can-be-borne-with-fortitude-only-a-monster-of/) [Susan Ertz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-ertz/) > [Present sufferings seem far greater to men than those they merely dread.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/present-sufferings-seem-far-greater-to-men-than-those-they-merely/) [Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/) > [“But, you know, if you choose to be with someone you should feel good with them, otherwise it doesn't make sense... 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It is not restricted to the earth only but instead it inhabits all the worlds in space.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allan-kardec/imbodied-spirits-constitute-the-mankind-it-is-not-restricted-to-the/) [Allan Kardec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allan-kardec/) > [Unshakable faith is only that which can face reason in all human epochs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allan-kardec/unshakable-faith-is-only-that-which-can-face-reason-in-all-human/) [Allan Kardec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allan-kardec/) > [“If we had never seen fishes, we should be at a loss to understand how any living beings could exist In the sea.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allan-kardec/if-we-had-never-seen-fishes-we-should-be-at-a-loss-to-understand-how/) [Allan Kardec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allan-kardec/) > [The incarnation was not initially imposed on the spirits as a punishment. It is rather necessary for the spirits' improvement and for the fulfillment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allan-kardec/the-incarnation-was-not-initially-imposed-on-the-spirits-as-a/) [Allan Kardec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allan-kardec/) > [God did not create the evil. He established the laws which are always good because he is good. The spirits would have been completely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allan-kardec/god-did-not-create-the-evil-he-established-the-laws-which-are-always/) [Allan Kardec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allan-kardec/) > [Prayer is always acceptable to God when dictated by the heart, for the intention is everything in his sight; and the prayer of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allan-kardec/prayer-is-always-acceptable-to-god-when-dictated-by-the-heart-for-the/) [Allan Kardec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allan-kardec/) > [In order to cooperate in the material worlds as agents of a divine power, the spirits temporarily have a material body. By the work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allan-kardec/in-order-to-cooperate-in-the-material-worlds-as-agents-of-a-divine/) [Allan Kardec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allan-kardec/) > [The more clearly a principle is understood by the intellect, the more inexcusable is the neglect to put it into practice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allan-kardec/the-more-clearly-a-principle-is-understood-by-the-intellect-the-more/) [Allan Kardec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allan-kardec/) > [You are always wanting miracles; but God sows miracles by handfuls under your feet, and yet you still have people who deny their existence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allan-kardec/you-are-always-wanting-miracles-but-god-sows-miracles-by-handfuls/) [Allan Kardec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allan-kardec/) > [Without charity, there is no salvation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allan-kardec/without-charity-there-is-no-salvation/) [Allan Kardec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allan-kardec/) > [In a word, what characterizes the spiritist revelation is that while divine in its origin and of the initiative of the Spirits, its elaboration…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allan-kardec/in-a-word-what-characterizes-the-spiritist-revelation-is-that-while/) [Allan Kardec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allan-kardec/) > [Just as Christ said: I am not come to destroy the Law, but to fulfill it, so Spiritism says: We have not come to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allan-kardec/just-as-christ-said-i-am-not-come-to-destroy-the-law-but-to-fulfill/) [Allan Kardec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allan-kardec/) > [God leaves to our conscience the choice of the road we decide to follow, and the liberty of yielding to one or another of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allan-kardec/god-leaves-to-our-conscience-the-choice-of-the-road-we-decide-to/) [Allan Kardec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allan-kardec/) [Explore all 14 Allan Kardec quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allan-kardec/) ## More Afterlife quotes > [I don't believe in an afterlife. I don't believe in a single or multiple godhead. I respect people who do, but I don't believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-judt/i-don-t-believe-in-an-afterlife-i-don-t-believe-in-a-single-or/) [Tony Judt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-judt/) > [“There was no attack on religion because people were generally indifferent to religion. They were neither hot nor cold. 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Unless you are immortal, both the soul and body are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yelle-hughes/death-is-predestined-for-all-mortals-souls-live-forever-but-the-body/) [Yelle Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yelle-hughes/) [Browse all 844 Afterlife quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afterlife/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“How many ills, how many infirmities, does man owe to his excesses, his ambition – in a word, to the indulgence of his various passions! He who should live soberly in all respects, who should never run into excesses of any kind, who should be always simple in his tastes, modest in his desires, would escape a large proportion of the tribulations of human life. It is the same with regard to spirit-life, the sufferings of which are always the consequence of the manner in which a spirit has lived upon the earth. In that life undoubtedly he will no longer suffer from gout or rheumatism; but his wrong-doing down here will cause him to experience other sufferings no less painful. We have seen that those sufferings are the result of the links which exist between a spirit and matter; that the more completely he is freed from the influence of matter – in other words, the more dematerialized he is – the fewer are the painful sensations experienced by him. It depends, therefore, on each of us to free ourselves from the influence of matter by our action in this present life. Man possesses free-will, and, consequently, the power of electing to do or not to do. Let him conquer his animal passions; let him rid himself of hatred, envy, jealousy, pride; let him throw off the yoke of selfishness; let him purify his soul by cultivating noble sentiments; let him do good; let him attach to the things of this world only the degree of importance which they deserve – and he will, even under his present corporeal envelope, have effected his purification, and achieved his deliverance from the influence of matter, which will cease for him on his quitting that envelope. For such a one the remembrance of physical sufferings endured by him in the life he has quitted has nothing painful, and produces no disagreeable impression, because they affected his body only, and left no trace in his soul. 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