--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have no doubt that they lived pretty…" description: "\"I have no doubt that they lived pretty much the same sort of life in the Homeric age, for men have always thought more of eating than of fighting; then..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fa/henry-david-thoreau-20_age_i-have-no-doubt-that-they-lived-pretty-m_652311.jpg" --- # I have no doubt that they lived pretty much the same sort… ![“I have no doubt that they lived pretty much the same sort of life in the Homeric age, for men have always thought more of eating than of fighting; then, as now, their minds ran chiefly on the "hot bread and sweet cakes;" and the fur and lumber trade is an old story to Asia and Europe.” quote by Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fa/henry-david-thoreau-20_age_i-have-no-doubt-that-they-lived-pretty-m_652311.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fa/henry-david-thoreau-20_age_i-have-no-doubt-that-they-lived-pretty-m_652311.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3fa/henry-david-thoreau-20_age_i-have-no-doubt-that-they-lived-pretty-m_652311.jpg) > “I have no doubt that they lived pretty much the same sort of life in the Homeric age, for men have always thought more of eating than of fighting; then, as now, their minds ran chiefly on the "hot bread and sweet cakes;" and the fur and lumber trade is an old story to Asia and Europe.” [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People historically prioritize food and trade over conflict, showing continuity in human concerns across ages. **In simple terms:** People care more about eating and trade than fighting. Key Takeaway Recognize basic needs drive societies. Themes culture economics history Mood reflective analytical Type observational historical When to use this quote - anthropology - trade - food security - conflict resolution Key Concepts materialism human nature Questions to Reflect On - How do modern economies reflect ancient priorities? - What non‑material values are overlooked? A Different Perspective Ignores political and spiritual motivations beyond material needs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) [Asia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asia/) [Bread](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bread/) [Cake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cake/) [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Eating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eating/) [Eating Fighting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eating-fighting-5213794/) [Europe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/europe/) [Fighting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fighting/) [Fur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fur/) [Homeric Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/homeric-age-4232403/) [Hot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hot/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life Homeric](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-homeric-5213793/) [Lumber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lumber/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Men Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-thought/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [No doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/no-doubt/) [Old Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-story/) [Pioneers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pioneers/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Ran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ran/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Sweet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sweet/) [Trade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trade/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [What is the foundation of that interest all men feel in Greek history, letters, art, and poetry, in all its periods, from the Heroic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/what-is-the-foundation-of-that-interest-all-men-feel-in-greek-history/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [I realized a school doesn't need a School Committee or Trustees or Governors or lumber or approved textbooks. 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