The Mind, the Soul, and True Self-Mastery: The Rambam's Guide to Thought and Speech

The sages say: “Whoever does not have mercy on their own mind, it would have been better had they not been born.” At first glance this seems harsh and perplexing.

The Rambam (Maimonides) offers a profound explanation: The intellect is the very expression of G-d’s honor in the world, because G-d granted human beings wisdom beyond that of all other creatures. Our intelligence, therefore, becomes a vessel through which divine dignity is revealed.

When a person fails to value their intellect, and they don’t cherish the gift of thought and reason, they surrender themselves to impulses and desires, becoming no different than an animal.

True Kingship Begins Within

Kabbalistic sages echo this idea by teaching that a person’s true royalty is revealed through mastery over the self, just as the Mishnah in Pirkei Avot says: “Who is mighty? One who conquers their inclination.”

Being physically stronger than others doesn’t make someone a "hero." After all, if that person stood before an elephant or a whale, their strength would be meaningless. True might lies in the ability to overcome oneself. How does one reach that level of inner greatness? By becoming a king- not over others, but over oneself.

The Kabbalists teach: The Hebrew word "Melech" (king) is an acronym for:

• Moach (Mind) – Intellect

• Lev (Heart) – Emotions

• Kaved (Liver) – Desires

When a person rules over himself by putting the mind above the heart, and the heart above desires, this is true kingship. A person who conducts himself in this way builds a healthy, noble life.

Thought: Humanity’s Highest Power

The Rambam writes in Moreh Nevuchim (Guide for the Perplexed):
Our Sages taught, “Thoughts of sin are worse than the sin itself.”

This doesn’t mean that one isn’t held accountable for actual sin, but from a spiritual perspective, the damage caused by impure thought is deeper. The reason for this is because when someone commits a sin, it usually stems from their physical, instinctual nature. But thought is uniquely human, tied to the soul, the very “form” of the human being. When someone allows their mind to dwell in corrupt places, they’re misusing the most noble and elevated part of their being.

Thought, explains the Rambam, was given to us not to descend into darkness, but to rise up, to ponder the universe, to seek understanding, to pursue truth. Unlike animals, humans can direct their thoughts, and this gives them the capacity for spiritual elevation, or downfall.

Using the Mind for a Mitzvah

Even in everyday moments, a person can choose what to think about:

• They might waste time on nonsense, or

• They might contemplate the beauty of creation, deepening their faith and awe of G-d.

In those "lost minutes," one can actually fulfill positive commandments just through uplifting thought. On the flip side, if one allows the mind to wander into negativity, sinful thoughts or obsessions, the same powerful mind becomes a force for descent.

This is why the Torah commands: “Do not follow after your heart and your eyes”- these are the gateways to the mind. Protect them, and you protect your soul.

Speech: A Divine Power

The Rambam emphasizes the sanctity of speech, which like thought, is uniquely human. Animals may communicate through gestures or sounds, but they do not form words, ideas, or creative expressions.

This capacity for speech is a divine gift. As it says: “Who gives man speech?” And the prophet proclaims: “The Lord gave me a tongue of wisdom.”

How can we take this incredible gift and use it for vulgarity, for gossip, for meaningless or harmful chatter? To misuse speech is to rebel against the very gift that distinguishes us as human beings.

Misusing Divine Gifts

The Rambam explains that anyone who uses their thoughts or speech to obsess over physical pleasure, to sing obscene songs, or to fantasize excessively about indulgences, “has taken the very gifts G-d gave him, and used them to rebel against the Giver.”

Your mind is not simply a tool, but a sanctuary, and your speech is not just sound, but soul in motion. When we use these divine gifts properly, we reflect G-d’s honor in the world. When we misuse them, we betray that honor.

To truly live with dignity is to rule over yourself- to put mind over heart, and heart over desire. This is the path to greatness.