John Harvey Kellogg Quotes

Powerful John Harvey Kellogg for Daily Growth

About John Harvey Kellogg

John Harvey Kellogg (February 26, 1852 – January 14, 1943) was an American physician, inventor, entrepreneur, and health reformer. Born in a small town in New Hampshire, Kellogg's interest in health and wellness began early, with his education at Waterville College (now Colby College). He later graduated from the Bellevue Hospital Medical College in New York City. Kellogg's career took an unexpected turn when he was offered a position at the Battle Creek Sanitarium, run by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, founded on principles of temperance, vegetarianism, and natural healing. There, Kellogg developed innovative treatments such as hydrotherapy, magnetic therapy, and electric stimulation. In 1895, while experimenting with boiled wheat, Kellogg accidentally invented corn flakes. This accidental invention led to the creation of the Battle Creek Toasted Corn Flake Company (later renamed Kellogg Company). However, it was his brother Will Keith Kellogg who took over the business side, leaving John to continue his medical and health reform work. Known for his progressive views on healthcare, Kellogg authored numerous books including "Plain Facts for Old and Young" (1879), which became a controversial bestseller due to its open discussion of sexuality. He also wrote extensively on diet and nutrition, advocating for vegetarianism and whole grains. Kellogg's influence extended beyond his writings and the Kellogg Company. He was a pioneer in the field of preventive medicine, promoting exercise, fresh air, and natural remedies. His legacy continues to shape our understanding of health and wellness today.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Breakfast is a time for children and women."

This quote by John Harvey Kellogg suggests that breakfast, traditionally considered an important meal, was particularly relevant for two groups: children and women. For children, breakfast serves as a crucial source of energy to help them start their day actively. For women, it might imply the significance of nutrition in maintaining overall health, especially during the childbearing years or while caring for children. The emphasis on these two groups may reflect cultural norms of Kellogg's time and the roles assigned to them within the family structure. However, it is essential to remember that today, we recognize breakfast as essential for everyone regardless of age or gender.


"The food that enters the mouth becomes the mind."

This quote suggests that what we eat influences our mental state or cognitive abilities. Essentially, it's emphasizing that proper nutrition plays a crucial role in shaping one's thoughts, emotions, and overall mental health. A well-balanced diet can help improve concentration, memory, and mood, while an unhealthy diet may lead to decreased mental performance and increased susceptibility to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Therefore, taking care of our physical health through proper nutrition is just as important for maintaining a healthy mind.


"Let your clothing be simple and not too costly; let it protect you from the cold and the wet, but by no means let it be an ornament to you."

This quote by John Harvey Kellogg emphasizes the importance of practicality over vanity in one's clothing choices. He suggests that the primary function of clothing should be to provide protection from the elements, rather than serving as a fashion statement or status symbol. This perspective encourages individuals to focus on essential needs and value frugality, promoting a minimalist approach to personal style.


"We are all under obligation to contribute our share toward the general good of all."

This quote by John Harvey Kellogg emphasizes the idea that each individual has a moral responsibility to contribute positively to society as a whole, rather than focusing solely on personal gain. It suggests that we are interconnected, and our actions and decisions have an impact on the greater community. By contributing our share towards the common good, we help build a better, more harmonious world for everyone.


"The greatest number of diseases are due to autointoxication, or the continued putrefaction in the intestines."

This quote by John Harvey Kellogg suggests that many illnesses originate from self-poisoning, specifically due to the putrefaction (rot or decay) of undigested food material within the intestines. Essentially, he believed that poor digestion could lead to the release of harmful toxins into the body, causing various diseases. This theory, known as autointoxication, was a popular belief in the late 19th and early 20th centuries but has largely been discredited in modern medicine due to a lack of conclusive evidence supporting it.


I am, I think the only surviving member of the original Battle Creek church. The church was disbanded, with the exception of thirteen members, in 1870.

- John Harvey Kellogg

Think, Exception, I Think, Thirteen

These charges that have been made against me, that Prof. Prescott has made, has charged against me, that I denied the atonement in conversation with him, are absolutely false.

- John Harvey Kellogg

Against, Been, Made, Conversation

Brother Jones is not my product, and I am not responsible for anything he writes or says.

- John Harvey Kellogg

I Am, Product, Responsible, Writes

Now when I came to go up to operations, I went down to this patient's room and got down on my knees at the foot of the bed and earnestly asked the Lord to help us and to help me.

- John Harvey Kellogg

Bed, Lord, Knees, Earnestly

Because I never thought the Lord would treat me any different from any other honest man or that I had an official position that compelled the Lord to help me in any other way than He would help any other man.

- John Harvey Kellogg

Treat, Thought, Other, Any Other Way

A dead cow or sheep lying in a pasture is recognized as carrion. The same sort of a carcass dressed and hung up in a butcher's stall passes as food.

- John Harvey Kellogg

Dead, Butcher, Recognized, Sheep

I don't want you to misunderstand me. You might get up and state what you believe to be Seventh-day Adventism, and I might not agree with everything you said.

- John Harvey Kellogg

Believe, Want, Might, Misunderstand

The Lord did not bless us with any children of our own, so we gathered up little waifs whom we thought would be neglected and would not be cared for unless we brought them into our family.

- John Harvey Kellogg

Thought, Lord, Brought, Gathered

Do you know, that is the root of the whole trouble - has been one of the roots at any rate - is people hearing things and then imagining some more and magnifying it and multiplying it.

- John Harvey Kellogg

More, Some, Been, Do You Know

I believe that the end of things man-made cannot be very far away - must be near at hand.

- John Harvey Kellogg

Away, Very, I Believe That, Man-Made

Then, after I came home from Europe, I found I was under condemnation; and I was condemned at that time because I did not endorse the financial policy of the General Conference.

- John Harvey Kellogg

Financial, Conference, Then, Condemned

When I found the book was condemned as soon as the book was printed, or rather as soon as it was set up ready to print, I held it in plates for a year nearly, waiting to see what would come out of all this discussion.

- John Harvey Kellogg

Waiting, Set, Plates, Condemned

If you can get some of the devil's money to use for the Lord's work, if you have to borrow it, it is all right and carry on the work.

- John Harvey Kellogg

Work, Some, Use, Borrow

But sometimes in the midst of worry, anxiety and hard work, it has been pretty hard to bear all these false reports going about the country - to see my friends alienated and being made to believe things that were absolutely false.

- John Harvey Kellogg

Country, Been, Reports, Alienated

I think I am the oldest member and have been in good standing longer than any other member of this church.

- John Harvey Kellogg

Think, Other, Been, Oldest

There are any number of people who profess to be good Christian people who are willing to believe all kinds of things on suspicion. Now that is not the way the Bible directs for Christian people to do.

- John Harvey Kellogg

Bible, Willing, Profess, Suspicion

Is God a man with two arms and legs like me? Does He have eyes, a head? Does He have bowels? Well I do, and that makes me more wonderful than He is!

- John Harvey Kellogg

More, Like, Makes, Legs

I believe the Sabbath; I keep the Sabbath.

- John Harvey Kellogg

Believe, Keep, Sabbath, I Believe The

I believe in the unconscious state of the mind in death.

- John Harvey Kellogg

Death, Mind, Believe, Unconscious

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