... man was not born a carnivorous animal, but born to…
“... man was not born a carnivorous animal, but born to live on the fruits and herbs that the earth grows. I know we must all err. I would give up milk if I could, but I cannot. I have made that experiment times without number. I could not, after a serious illness, regain my strength, unless I went back to milk. That has been the tragedy of my life. But the basis of my vegetarianism is not physical, but moral. If anybody said that I should die if I did not take beef tea or mutton, even on medical advice, I would prefer death. That is the basis of my vegetarianism.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Gandhi argues that his vegetarianism is morally driven, not merely health‑based, and he would rather die than compromise those ethics.
In simple terms: His diet is a moral choice, even over health.
Key Takeaway
Uphold ethical convictions despite hardship.
Themes
ethics
diet
personal conviction
health
sacrifice
Mood
determined
conflicted
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- personal health decisions
- ethical debates
- medical advice
- cultural practices
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
vegetarianism
principle
integrity
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it possible to balance moral principles with life‑preserving needs?
- How do societies support those with strict ethical diets?
A Different Perspective
His stance may conflict with medical necessity, creating tension between ethics and survival.