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Bad food Quote by Jean-Jacques Rousseau

“The extreme inequality of our ways of life, the excess of idleness among some and the excess of toil among others, the ease of stimulating and gratifying our appetites and our senses, the over-elaborate foods of the rich, which inflame and overwhelm them with indigestion, the bad food of the poor…” quote by Jean-Jacques Rousseau
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““The extreme inequality of our ways of life, the excess of idleness among some and the excess of toil among others, the ease of stimulating and gratifying our appetites and our senses, the over-elaborate foods of the rich, which inflame and overwhelm them with indigestion, the bad food of the poor, which they often go withotu altogether, so hat they over-eat greedily when they have the opportunity; those late nights, excesses of all kinds, immoderate transports of every passion, fatigue, exhaustion of mind, the innumerable sorrows and anxieties that people in all classes suffer, and by which the human soul is constantly tormented: these are the fatal proofs that most of our ills are of our own making, and that we might have avoided nearly all of them if only we had adhered to the simple, unchanging and solitary way of life that nature ordained for us. ””

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

About This Quote

Source Treatise: Discourse on the Origin of Inequality, 1755

Exposes how excessive consumption and inequality cause widespread suffering, urging a return to simple, natural living to alleviate self‑inflicted woes.

In simple terms: Excess and inequality harm all; simplicity heals.

Key Takeaway

Adopt simple, natural lifestyle to reduce suffering.

Themes

inequality excess nature human suffering

Mood

thoughtful serious

Type

philosophical reflective

When to use this quote

  • dietary habits
  • urban planning
  • education reform
  • personal lifestyle choices

Key Concepts

social economics philosophy of simplicity

Questions to Reflect On

  • What simple changes can reduce personal excess?
  • How can societies promote natural living?
A Different Perspective

Modern comforts make simplicity challenging.

2.9 out of 5 (5 ratings)

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