Health, Lost
Illustration★★★★Among the manifold misfortunes that may befall humanity, the loss of health is one of the severest. All the joys that life can give cannot outweigh the sufferings of the sick. Give the sick man everything, and leave him his sufferings, and he will feel that half the world is lost tohim. Lay him on a soft silken “ouch, he will nevertheless groan sleepless unde the pressure of his sufferings; while the mist able beggar, blessed with health, sleeps sweetly on the hard ground.
Spread his table with dainty meats and choice drinks, and he will thrust back the hand that proffers them, and envy the poor man who thoroughly enjoys his dry crust. Surround him with the pomp of kings; let his chair be a throne, and his crutch a world-swaying sceptre ; he will look with contemptuous eye on marble, on gold, and on purple, and would deem himself happy could he enjoy, even were it under a thatched roof, the health of the meanest of his servants.
— Zschokke
The point
The loss of health is among life's severest misfortunes: no wealth, luxury, or comfort can compensate a sick man, while even a poor but healthy beggar sleeps soundly.