--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The dumpling is indeed of more ancient…" description: "\"The dumpling is indeed of more ancient institution, and of foreign origin; but alas, what were those dumplings? Nothing but a few lentils sodden togeth..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b0/john-arbuthnot-18374_alas_the-dumpling-is-indeed-of-more-ancient-i_70750.png" --- # The dumpling is indeed of more ancient institution, and of… ![“The dumpling is indeed of more ancient institution, and of foreign origin; but alas, what were those dumplings? Nothing but a few lentils sodden together, moisten'd and cemented with a little seeth'd fat.” quote by John Arbuthnot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b0/john-arbuthnot-18374_alas_the-dumpling-is-indeed-of-more-ancient-i_70750.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b0/john-arbuthnot-18374_alas_the-dumpling-is-indeed-of-more-ancient-i_70750.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b0/john-arbuthnot-18374_alas_the-dumpling-is-indeed-of-more-ancient-i_70750.png) > “The dumpling is indeed of more ancient institution, and of foreign origin; but alas, what were those dumplings? Nothing but a few lentils sodden together, moisten'd and cemented with a little seeth'd fat.” [John Arbuthnot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-arbuthnot/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote humorously argues that dumplings originated as a simple, ancient dish made from lentils and fat, suggesting a modest, utilitarian beginning rather than a refined culinary tradition. **In simple terms:** Origins of dumplings as a basic, ancient food. Key Takeaway Dumplings began as a simple, utilitarian dish. Themes history food culture humor anthropology culinary evolution Mood playful ironic thoughtful Type historical anecdote humorous observation When to use this quote - discussing food origins - teaching culinary history - writing food satire - exploring cultural diffusion - comparing ancient and modern recipes Key Concepts ancient cuisine ingredient simplicity cultural exchange humorous critique Practical Applications - educational content on food history - creative writing about culinary origins Questions to Reflect On - What does this say about how we romanticize simple foods? - How might the perception of dumplings change if we focus on their humble origins? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alas/) [Ancient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ancient/) [Dumpling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dumpling-563576/) [Dumpling Ancient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dumpling-ancient-930519/) [Dumplings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dumplings/) [Dumplings Lentils](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dumplings-lentils-930520/) [Fats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fats/) [Food](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/food/) [Institutions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/institutions/) [Lentils](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lentils/) [Lentils Sodden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lentils-sodden-930521/) [Littles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/littles/) [Together](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/together/) ## Related quotes > [The dumpling-eaters are a race sprung partly from the old Epicurean and partly from the Peripatetic Sect; they were first brought into Britain by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-arbuthnot/the-dumpling-eaters-are-a-race-sprung-partly-from-the-old-epicurean/) [John Arbuthnot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-arbuthnot/) > [I don't discriminate when it comes to dumplings. Give me a generous plate of pretty much anything wrapped in a starchy, doughy casing and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-saffitz/i-don-t-discriminate-when-it-comes-to-dumplings-give-me-a-generous/) [Claire Saffitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-saffitz/) > [“Dumpling.' She'd heard a man at the post office refer to his wife as 'his little petunia'. Whatever possessed people to assign one another…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mona-hodgson/dumpling-she-d-heard-a-man-at-the-post-office-refer-to-his-wife-as/) [Mona Hodgson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mona-hodgson/) > [Chinese dumpling and noodle trainspotters know that the best versions usually come from obscure hole-in-the-wall joints where personal space and flattering lighting isn't a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-leong/chinese-dumpling-and-noodle-trainspotters-know-that-the-best-versions/) [Melissa Leong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-leong/) > [Luck is like having a rice dumpling fly into your mouth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/japanese-proverb/luck-is-like-having-a-rice-dumpling-fly-into-your-mouth/) [Japanese Proverb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/japanese-proverb/) > [“Dearest dumpling, one day your imagination is going to get you into trouble," whispered his mother. He would never do that," Pecorino replied. "We're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-madison/dearest-dumpling-one-day-your-imagination-is-going-to-get-you-into/) [Alan Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-madison/) > [On any given day, I want to know which restaurant near me is serving knoephla or chicken dumpling soup.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-yeh/on-any-given-day-i-want-to-know-which-restaurant-near-me-is-serving/) [Molly Yeh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/molly-yeh/) > [“Luck is like having a rice dumpling fly into your mouth." - If a rice dumpling magically flew into my mouth, I'd totally freak…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-tiding/luck-is-like-having-a-rice-dumpling-fly-into-your-mouth-if-a-rice/) [Tom Tiding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-tiding/) > [I hate with a bitter hatred the names of lentils haricots - those pretentious cheats of the appetite, those tabulated humbugs, those certified aridites…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-gissing/i-hate-with-a-bitter-hatred-the-names-of-lentils-haricots-those/) [George Gissing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-gissing/) > [Outward, thanks to the knowledge of physical laws, man could subdue (or subjugate...) nature, but inwardly, he remained a slave to it. For, when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/african-spir/outward-thanks-to-the-knowledge-of-physical-laws-man-could-subdue-or/) [African Spir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/african-spir/) > [I wasn't eating the right kinds of calories. I didn't know about healthy carbs such as brown rice and lentils. Now I eat small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-sweeney/i-wasn-t-eating-the-right-kinds-of-calories-i-didn-t-know-about/) [Alison Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-sweeney/) > [ “\[Her\] idea of a fair trade--her lentils for your caviar.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-corrigan/her-idea-of-a-fair-trade-her-lentils-for-your-caviar/) [Maya Corrigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-corrigan/) > [“This recipe is quick to put together and can be a meal in itself. 2 cups (400 g) lentils 6 cups (1.4 L) water…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pamela-compart/this-recipe-is-quick-to-put-together-and-can-be-a-meal-in-itself-2/) [Pamela Compart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pamela-compart/) > [It is a great delusion to suppose that flesh-meat of any kind is essential to health. Considerably more than three parts of the work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-booth/it-is-a-great-delusion-to-suppose-that-flesh-meat-of-any-kind-is/) [Catherine Booth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-booth/) > [I like beans. Lentils are beans, right? I love beans and rice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prince-fielder/i-like-beans-lentils-are-beans-right-i-love-beans-and-rice/) [Prince Fielder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prince-fielder/) ## More by John Arbuthnot > [John looked ruddy and plump, with a pair of cheeks like a trumpeter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-arbuthnot/john-looked-ruddy-and-plump-with-a-pair-of-cheeks-like-a-trumpeter/) [John Arbuthnot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-arbuthnot/) > [All the politics in the world are nothing else but a kind of analysis of the quantity of probability in casual events, and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-arbuthnot/all-the-politics-in-the-world-are-nothing-else-but-a-kind-of-analysis/) [John Arbuthnot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-arbuthnot/) > [The Mathematics are Friends to Religion; inasmuch as they charm the Passions, restrain the Impetuosity of Imagination, and purge the Mind from Error and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-arbuthnot/the-mathematics-are-friends-to-religion-inasmuch-as-they-charm-the/) [John Arbuthnot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-arbuthnot/) > [What I have said may serve to recommend mathematics for acquiring a vigorous constitution of mind; for which purpose they are as useful as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-arbuthnot/what-i-have-said-may-serve-to-recommend-mathematics-for-acquiring-a/) [John Arbuthnot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-arbuthnot/) > [Unjust force can never give any just dominion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-arbuthnot/unjust-force-can-never-give-any-just-dominion/) [John Arbuthnot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-arbuthnot/) > [The Reader may here observe the Force of Numbers, which can be successfully applied, even to those things, which one would imagine are subject…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-arbuthnot/the-reader-may-here-observe-the-force-of-numbers-which-can-be/) [John Arbuthnot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-arbuthnot/) > [To bliss unknown by lofty soul aspires, My lot unequal to my vast desires.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-arbuthnot/to-bliss-unknown-by-lofty-soul-aspires-my-lot-unequal-to-my-vast/) [John Arbuthnot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-arbuthnot/) > [Almighty Power, by whose most wise command, helpless, forlorn, uncertain, here I stand, take this faint glimmer of thyself away, or break into my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-arbuthnot/almighty-power-by-whose-most-wise-command-helpless-forlorn-uncertain/) [John Arbuthnot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-arbuthnot/) > [The Mathematics are Friends to Religion, inasmuch as they charm the Passions, restrain the Impetuosity of the Imagination, and purge the Mind from Error…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-arbuthnot/the-mathematics-are-friends-to-religion-inasmuch-as-they-charm-the-2/) [John Arbuthnot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-arbuthnot/) > [King is a title which translated into several languages, signifies a magistrate with as many different degrees of power as there are kingdoms in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-arbuthnot/king-is-a-title-which-translated-into-several-languages-signifies-a/) [John Arbuthnot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-arbuthnot/) > [I believe the calculation of the quantity of probability might be improved to a very useful and pleasant speculation, and applied to a great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-arbuthnot/i-believe-the-calculation-of-the-quantity-of-probability-might-be/) [John Arbuthnot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-arbuthnot/) > [Among innumerable footsteps of divine providence to be found in the works of nature, there is a very remarkable one to be observed in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-arbuthnot/among-innumerable-footsteps-of-divine-providence-to-be-found-in-the/) [John Arbuthnot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-arbuthnot/) > [The mathematics are the friends of religion, inasmuch as they charm the passions, restrain the impetuosity of the imagination, and purge the mind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-arbuthnot/the-mathematics-are-the-friends-of-religion-inasmuch-as-they-charm/) [John Arbuthnot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-arbuthnot/) > [The dumpling-eaters are a race sprung partly from the old Epicurean and partly from the Peripatetic Sect; they were first brought into Britain by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-arbuthnot/the-dumpling-eaters-are-a-race-sprung-partly-from-the-old-epicurean/) [John Arbuthnot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-arbuthnot/) > [Truth is the same thing to the understanding, as Music to the ear, and Beauty to the eye.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-arbuthnot/truth-is-the-same-thing-to-the-understanding-as-music-to-the-ear-and/) [John Arbuthnot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-arbuthnot/) [Explore all 35 John Arbuthnot quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-arbuthnot/) ## More Alas quotes > [“Muchos de los ángeles de Dios no tienen alas...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jos-n-harris/muchos-de-los-ngeles-de-dios-no-tienen-alas/) [José N. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jos-n-harris/) > [We are all potentially such sick men. The sanest and best of us are of one clay with lunatics and prison-inmates. And whenever we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-james/we-are-all-potentially-such-sick-men-the-sanest-and-best-of-us-are-of/) [William James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-james/) > [Alas, you don't need monsters for monstrous deeds to be accomplished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zygmunt-bauman/alas-you-don-t-need-monsters-for-monstrous-deeds-to-be-accomplished/) [Zygmunt Bauman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zygmunt-bauman/) > [Time, time - that is our greatest master! Alas, like Ugolino, time devours its own children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hector-berlioz/time-time-that-is-our-greatest-master-alas-like-ugolino-time-devours/) [Hector Berlioz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hector-berlioz/) > [Removing prejudices is, alas! too often removing the boundary of a delightful near prospect in order to let in a shockingly extensive one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-fulke-greville/removing-prejudices-is-alas-too-often-removing-the-boundary-of-a/) [Sir Fulke Greville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-fulke-greville/) > [Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-pharcellus-church/yes-virginia-there-is-a-santa-claus-he-exists-as-certainly-as-love/) [Francis Pharcellus Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-pharcellus-church/) > [Alas, Postumus, the fleeting years slip by, nor will piety give any stay to wrinkles and pressing old age and untamable death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/alas-postumus-the-fleeting-years-slip-by-nor-will-piety-give-any-stay/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Sensible Catholics have for generations been ignoring the views on contraception held by reactionary old men in the Vatican, but alas, since it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-c-grayling/sensible-catholics-have-for-generations-been-ignoring-the-views-on/) [A.C. Grayling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-c-grayling/) > [The flesh is sad, alas, and I have read all the books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-phane-mallarm/the-flesh-is-sad-alas-and-i-have-read-all-the-books/) [Stephane Mallarme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-phane-mallarm/) > [Alas! all music jars when the soul's out of tune.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-cervantes/alas-all-music-jars-when-the-soul-s-out-of-tune/) [Miguel de Cervantes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-cervantes/) > [In spite of the honestest efforts to annihilate my I-ity, or merge it in what the world doubtless considers my better half, I still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-welsh-carlyle/in-spite-of-the-honestest-efforts-to-annihilate-my-i-ity-or-merge-it/) [Jane Welsh Carlyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-welsh-carlyle/) > [“World is so beautiful, but alas! There are so many assholes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/world-is-so-beautiful-but-alas-there-are-so-many-assholes/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) > [Ideally a painter (and, generally, an artist) should not become conscious of his insights: without taking the detour through his reflective processes, and incomprehensibly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rainer-maria-rilke/ideally-a-painter-and-generally-an-artist-should-not-become-conscious/) [Rainer Maria Rilke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rainer-maria-rilke/) > [Alas! we makeA ladder of our thoughts, where angels step,But sleep ourselves at the foot: our high resolvesLook down upon our slumbering acts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/letitia-elizabeth-landon/alas-we-makea-ladder-of-our-thoughts-where-angels-step-but-sleep/) [Letitia Elizabeth Landon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/letitia-elizabeth-landon/) > [Alas, poor Yorick! How surprised he would be to see how his counterpart of today is whisked off to a funeral parlor and is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-mitford/alas-poor-yorick-how-surprised-he-would-be-to-see-how-his-counterpart/) [Jessica Mitford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-mitford/) [Browse all 453 Alas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alas/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The dumpling is indeed of more ancient institution, and of foreign origin; but alas, what were those dumplings? Nothing but a few lentils sodden together, moisten'd and cemented with a little seeth'd fat.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Arbuthnot" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-arbuthnot/the-dumpling-is-indeed-of-more-ancient-institution-and-of-foreign/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Alas" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-arbuthnot/the-dumpling-is-indeed-of-more-ancient-institution-and-of-foreign/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b0/john-arbuthnot-18374_alas_the-dumpling-is-indeed-of-more-ancient-i_70750.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b0/john-arbuthnot-18374_alas_the-dumpling-is-indeed-of-more-ancient-i_70750.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b0/john-arbuthnot-18374_alas_the-dumpling-is-indeed-of-more-ancient-i_70750.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The dumpling is indeed of more ancient institution, and of foreign origin; but alas, what were those…” — John Arbuthnot", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John Arbuthnot", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-arbuthnot/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The dumpling is indeed of more...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-arbuthnot/the-dumpling-is-indeed-of-more-ancient-institution-and-of-foreign/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-arbuthnot/the-dumpling-is-indeed-of-more-ancient-institution-and-of-foreign/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```