---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Are you a vegetarian?” I ask, based on…"
description: "\"“Are you a vegetarian?” I ask, based on the evidence in front of me. She nods. “Why?” “Because I have this theory that when we die, every animal that w..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/10a/david-levithan-67_long-time_are-you-a-vegetarian-i-ask-based-on-the_951333.jpg"
---

#  Are you a vegetarian?” I ask, based on the evidence in…

![“Are you a vegetarian?” I ask, based on the evidence in front of me. She nods. “Why?” “Because I have this theory that when we die, every animal that we’ve eaten has a chance at eating us back. So if you’re a carnivore and you add up all the animals you’ve eaten—well, that’s a long time in…” quote by David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/10a/david-levithan-67_long-time_are-you-a-vegetarian-i-ask-based-on-the_951333.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/10a/david-levithan-67_long-time_are-you-a-vegetarian-i-ask-based-on-the_951333.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/10a/david-levithan-67_long-time_are-you-a-vegetarian-i-ask-based-on-the_951333.jpg)

> ““Are you a vegetarian?” I ask, based on the evidence in front of me. She nods. “Why?” “Because I have this theory that when we die, every animal that we’ve eaten has a chance at eating us back. So if you’re a carnivore and you add up all the animals you’ve eaten—well, that’s a long time in purgatory, being chewed.””

[David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker uses a whimsical theory to critique meat consumption, linking it to karmic retribution.

**In simple terms:** Eating animals may bring negative consequences.

Key Takeaway

Consider the moral impact of diet.

Themes

ethics diet karma

Mood

playful thought‑provoking

Type

inspirational philosophical

When to use this quote

- dietary choices
- vegetarianism
- ethical eating

Key Concepts

Philosophy of food environmental impact

Questions to Reflect On

- Do you believe food choices affect the afterlife?
- How does humor influence your view on ethics?

A Different Perspective

Humor may oversimplify complex ecological issues.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Carnivore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/carnivore/) [Eating Carnivore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eating-carnivore-1698740/) [Long time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-time/) [Purgatory Chewed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purgatory-chewed-1698741/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Vegetarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vegetarian/) [Vegetarian Ask](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vegetarian-ask-1698739/)

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> [I say, if you're going to eat a creature alive, you have to expect some screaming. That is the carnivore's burden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hodgman/i-say-if-you-re-going-to-eat-a-creature-alive-you-have-to-expect-some/)

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> [“You look like the cat that ate the canary." "As a vegetarian, I object to that metaphor." Scout grinned teethily at me. "As a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chloe-neill/you-look-like-the-cat-that-ate-the-canary-as-a-vegetarian-i-object-to/)

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## More by David Levithan

> [“When you jump, all you're going to do is fall. But leaping? Leaping is when you think there's something on the other side.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/when-you-jump-all-you-re-going-to-do-is-fall-but-leaping-leaping-is/)

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