--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is very strange, this domination of…" description: "\"It is very strange, this domination of our intellect by our digestive organs. We cannot work, we cannot think, unless our stomach wills so. It dictates..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2c/jerome-k-jerome-1155_care_it-is-very-strange-this-domination-of-ou_2222891.png" --- # It is very strange, this domination of our intellect by… ![“It is very strange, this domination of our intellect by our digestive organs. We cannot work, we cannot think, unless our stomach wills so. It dictates to us our emotions, our passions… We are but the veriest, sorriest slaves of our stomach. Reach not after morality and righteousness, my friends…” quote by Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2c/jerome-k-jerome-1155_care_it-is-very-strange-this-domination-of-ou_2222891.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2c/jerome-k-jerome-1155_care_it-is-very-strange-this-domination-of-ou_2222891.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2c/jerome-k-jerome-1155_care_it-is-very-strange-this-domination-of-ou_2222891.png) > “It is very strange, this domination of our intellect by our digestive organs. We cannot work, we cannot think, unless our stomach wills so. It dictates to us our emotions, our passions… We are but the veriest, sorriest slaves of our stomach. Reach not after morality and righteousness, my friends; watch vigilantly your stomach, and diet it with care and judgment. Then virtue and contentment will come and reign within your heart, unsought by any effort of your own; and you will be a good citizen, a loving husband, and a tender father—a noble, pious man.” [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Our bodily needs dominate our mind, shaping emotions and actions, so self‑discipline over diet leads to moral virtue and personal fulfillment. **In simple terms:** Our stomach controls thoughts and feelings; controlling it improves character. Key Takeaway Mindful eating fosters virtue and harmony. Themes self‑control discipline well‑being Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - daily meals - stress management - relationship building - parenting - personal growth Key Concepts physiology ethics psychology Questions to Reflect On - How does diet affect your mood? - Can you practice mindful eating daily? A Different Perspective Physical cravings can still override willpower despite intention. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Care](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/care/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Citizens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizens/) [Contentment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contentment/) [Diets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/diets/) [Domination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/domination/) [Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) [Emotion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotion/) [Father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/father/) [Good citizen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-citizen/) [Health](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/health/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Husband](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/husband/) [Intellect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intellect/) [Intellect Digestive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intellect-digestive-1339631/) [Judgment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judgment/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Loving husband](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loving-husband/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Morality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morality/) [My friends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/my-friends/) [Noble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/noble/) [Organs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/organs/) [Passion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passion/) [Pious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pious/) [Reign](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reign/) [Righteousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/righteousness/) [Slave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slave/) [Slaves Stomach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slaves-stomach-723053/) [Stomach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stomach/) [Stomach Wills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stomach-wills-4969102/) [Strange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strange/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Unless Stomach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unless-stomach-4969103/) [Vigilantly Stomach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vigilantly-stomach-723054/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) [Watches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/watches/) ## Related quotes > [“We are but the veriest, sorriest slaves of our stomach.  Reach not after morality and righteousness, my friends; watch vigilantly your stomach, and diet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/we-are-but-the-veriest-sorriest-slaves-of-our-stomach-reach-not-after-2/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [We are but the veriest, sorriest slaves of our stomach. Reach not after morality and righteousness, my friends; watch vigilantly your stomach, and diet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/we-are-but-the-veriest-sorriest-slaves-of-our-stomach-reach-not-after/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [“It is very strange, this domination of our intellect by our digestive organs. We cannot work, we cannot think, unless our stomach wills so.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/it-is-very-strange-this-domination-of-our-intellect-by-our-digestive/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [It is very strange, this domination of our intellect by our digestive organs. 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We have a 12-year-old son. David is a genius. He writes the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/david-shire-and-i-have-been-happily-married-for-21-years-we-have-a-12/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“He will come to trust you, perhaps,” she says. “If you have years together. 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Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [“He would use a bit of string this time, and at the critical moment, when the old fool was leaning over the chair at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/he-would-use-a-bit-of-string-this-time-and-at-the-critical-moment/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [Some people are under the impression that all that is required to make a good fisherman is the ability to tell lies easily and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/some-people-are-under-the-impression-that-all-that-is-required-to/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [It is easy enough to say that poverty is no crime. No; if it were men wouldn't be ashamed of it. It is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/it-is-easy-enough-to-say-that-poverty-is-no-crime-no-if-it-were-men/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [Love is woman's business,and in "business" we all lay aside our natural weaknesses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/love-is-woman-s-business-and-in-business-we-all-lay-aside-our-natural/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [We are but the veriest, sorriest slaves of our stomach. Reach not after morality and righteousness, my friends; watch vigilantly your stomach, and diet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/we-are-but-the-veriest-sorriest-slaves-of-our-stomach-reach-not-after/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [“There was no ground-floor — its ground-floor belonged to a house in the next court, and the front door opened direct upon a flight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/there-was-no-ground-floor-its-ground-floor-belonged-to-a-house-in-the/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [“I can understand the ignorant masses loving to soak themselves in drink—oh, yes, it's very shocking that they should, of course—very shocking to us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/i-can-understand-the-ignorant-masses-loving-to-soak-themselves-in/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [ They \[dogs\] never talk about themselves but listen to you while you talk about yourself, and keep up an appearance of being interested in… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/they-dogs-never-talk-about-themselves-but-listen-to-you-while-you/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [“And we sit there, by its margin, while the moon, who loves it too, stoops down to kiss it with a sister’s kiss, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/and-we-sit-there-by-its-margin-while-the-moon-who-loves-it-too-stoops/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [“The only feeling that a closer intimacy has created in him for his wife is that of indulgent contempt. As there is no equality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/the-only-feeling-that-a-closer-intimacy-has-created-in-him-for-his/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [Evil thought is a dangerous pet. It is safer to play with it from behind the iron bars of circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/evil-thought-is-a-dangerous-pet-it-is-safer-to-play-with-it-from/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [If you are foolish enough to be contented, don't show it, but grumble with the rest; and if you can do with a little,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/if-you-are-foolish-enough-to-be-contented-don-t-show-it-but-grumble/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [Life will always remain a gamble, with prizes sometimes for the imprudent, and blanks so often to the wise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/life-will-always-remain-a-gamble-with-prizes-sometimes-for-the/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [“You can never rouse Harris. There is no poetry about Harris- no wild yearning for the unattainable. Harris never "weeps, he knows not why."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/you-can-never-rouse-harris-there-is-no-poetry-about-harris-no-wild/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) [Explore all 267 Jerome K. Jerome quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) ## More Care quotes > [I think, here's what I've realized from interviewing people, and I've been very open about my Catholicism and my love of Christ and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mohr/i-think-here-s-what-i-ve-realized-from-interviewing-people-and-i-ve/) [Jay Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mohr/) > [We all know what it feels like to love someone and care about them and want to protect them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiana-madeira/we-all-know-what-it-feels-like-to-love-someone-and-care-about-them/) [Kiana Madeira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiana-madeira/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! 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