WHERE DOES PEACE OF MIND COME FROM?
Performance Chirointc Written evidence for the phrase peace of mind dates as far back to the late 16th century, but earlier constructions precede that. Peace of heart is recorded as early as 1340 and peace of soul by 1425. Peace of mind, then, continues a well-established construction “peace of X,” where X names the part of a person in which peace is believed to be found. Peace of mind prevailed over its older counterparts, perhaps in part due to the widespread location of stress and anxiety in the construct of the human mind. One of the most notable instances of peace of mind comes from Jonathan Swift’s 1726 satirical novel, Gulliver’s Travels. On one of his fantastical journeys, the narrator describes the Laputians (a caricature of aloof scientists) as never enjoying a minute’s peace of mind,” as they’re constantly concerned with things others never think about, like how the Earth will eventually be swallowed up by the sun. Other major English-language writers and thinkers have used the phrase too, from Swift’s contemporary Alexander Pope to Mary Wollstonecraft to D.H. Lawrence. The meaning of peace of mind stayed relatively stable since its creation. It’s also remained fairly useful. As there’s always something to fret about, people regularly use peace of mind to label the feeling they are striving for—or have achieved. Anxiety in all forms is prevalent and according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 18.1% of the adult population in US suffers from an anxiety disorder. Because of this, we might understand why peace of mind continues to enjoy wide currency, even if it may be ever lacking.
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