"A man who is "of sound mind" is one who keeps the inner madman under lock and key"

This quote by Paul Valery talks to the idea of mental health and stability. It suggests that a male who is of sound mind is one who has the ability to keep his inner ideas and emotions in check. This suggests that everybody has an inner madman, or a part of themselves that is disorderly and unreasonable. To be of sound mind, one must be able to control this inner madman and keep it under lock and secret. This quote recommends that psychological health is not about being best or having no feelings, however rather about being able to handle and manage them. It is about being able to recognize when one is feeling overwhelmed and taking the required actions to restore control. It has to do with having the ability to acknowledge when one is feeling out of control and taking the needed steps to gain back balance. Psychological health is about having the ability to acknowledge and manage one's inner madman, and keeping it under lock and secret.