The Soul Needs More Space Than The Body

The soul needs more space than the body. -- Dr. Axel Munthe

This quote, which I first heard while touring the home of the Swedish physician on the island of Capri, Italy, really struck me.

After I returned home, I made a point of learning more about this fascinating man, philanthropist, physician and animal advocate.  

Here is another memorable quote by Munthe: The wild, cruel beast is not behind the bars of the cage. He is in front of it.

Born in Sweden, this physician and psychiatrist studied medicine in both Sweden and France, ultimately spending most of his life (56 years) on the Italian island of Capri. A philanthropist, he often treated the poor without charge. and he risked his life on several occasions to offer medical assistance during World War I, and during natural disasters during the plague in Naples. Munthe also served as personal physician to the Swedish royal family.

An animal rights advocate, he purchased land to create a bird sanctuary near his home in Italy, argued for bans on painful traps, and kept pets as diverse as an owl and a baboon, as well as many kinds of dogs. 

Munthe is perhaps best known for his book The Story of San Michele, a book of memoirs. Originally written in English, the book has been translated into numerous languages.

The view from San Michele to the ruins of the home of Roman emperor Tiberius.

San Michele was the home he built in the town of Anacapri, on the ruins of a 10th century chapel that itself had been built on some of the ruins of the villa of Roman emperor Tiberius. The site sits atop a high cliff reached by 921 steps (known as the Phoenician steps, but most likely built by ancient Greek colonists) and affords sweeping views of the Mediterranean Sea. 

Most of Munthe's writings are memoirs drawn from his real-life experiences. In addition to writing about animals, he wrote a lot about people and their idiosyncrasies, portraying the foibles of both the rich and the poor. Sadly, eye problems eventually left Munthe blind.

Here is one final Munthe thought:

What you keep for yourself, you lose. What you give away, you keep forever.