Adorno Quote by Christopher Hitchens
““Hitch: making rules about drinking can be the sign of an alcoholic,' as Martin Amis once teasingly said to me. (Adorno would have savored that, as well.) Of course, watching the clock for the start-time is probably a bad sign, but here are some simple pieces of advice for the young. Don't drink on an empty stomach: the main point of the refreshment is the enhancement of food. Don't drink if you have the blues: it's a junk cure. Drink when you are in a good mood. Cheap booze is a false economy. It's not true that you shouldn't drink alone: these can be the happiest glasses you ever drain. Hangovers are another bad sign, and you should not expect to be believed if you take refuge in saying you can't properly remember last night. (If you really don't remember, that's an even worse sign.) Avoid all narcotics: these make you more boring rather than less and are not designed—as are the grape and the grain—to enliven company. Be careful about up-grading too far to single malt Scotch: when you are voyaging in rough countries it won't be easily available. Never even think about driving a car if you have taken a drop. It's much worse to see a woman drunk than a man: I don't know quite why this is true but it just is. Don't ever be responsible for it.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: BBC Radio 4, 2003
The speaker offers nuanced advice on alcohol consumption, emphasizing moderation, context, and personal responsibility.
In simple terms: Drink responsibly, consider mood and setting.
Drink wisely, avoid excess.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- social gatherings
- solo drinking
- travel
- driving after drinking
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When is drinking socially acceptable?
- How do cultural attitudes shape drinking habits?
Advice reflects personal bias and may not apply universally.