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Behinds Quote by Henry David Thoreau

“One farmer says to me, 'You cannot live on vegetable food solely, for it furnishes nothing to make bones with;' and so he religiously devotes a part of his day to supplying his system with the raw material of bones; walking all the while he talks behind his oxen, which, with vegetable-made bones…” quote by Henry David Thoreau
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““One farmer says to me, 'You cannot live on vegetable food solely, for it furnishes nothing to make bones with;' and so he religiously devotes a part of his day to supplying his system with the raw material of bones; walking all the while he talks behind his oxen, which, with vegetable-made bones, jerk him and his lumbering plow along in spite of every obstacle.””

Henry David Thoreau

About This Quote

Source Book: Walden, Henry David Thoreau, 1854

Thoreau critiques relying solely on vegetables for nutrition, arguing they lack bone-building nutrients, and highlights the need for balanced diet including protein sources for bone health.

In simple terms: Vegetables alone don’t provide enough bone nutrients.

Key Takeaway

Include protein sources for strong bones.

Themes

nutrition health diet balance

Mood

thoughtful inquisitive

Type

advice educational

When to use this quote

  • personal health planning
  • dietary counseling
  • fitness training
  • agricultural education
  • nutritional research

Key Concepts

bone health protein vegetables dietary balance

Questions to Reflect On

  • What protein sources do you incorporate daily?
  • How can you diversify your diet for bone health?
A Different Perspective

A solely diet can still support bone health if fortified or combined with other nutrients.

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