It just flashed through my mind that the most strenuous physical activity in which I engage regularly is—shitting.

Addendum (October 30, 2016)

When I came across this piece on one of my uncharted journeys through my writings, the title puzzled me. Praising western civilization? Me? But the piece itself made me laugh. Right on! To this day, the most strenuous physical activity in which I engage on a regular basis is still the same. And there can be hardly any doubt that the praise of western civilization is justified. Only imagine excavating sewers under swelling cities. Or ploughing with oxen. Or catching stray sheep on flanks of ragged hills. Or hunting for wild boar in the woods. Three cheers for shitting!