--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We never got much in the way of material…" description: "\"We never got much in the way of material things, but if you can be spoiled by good cooking, my mom spoiled me three times a day all my life.\" — John Isner" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c5/john-isner-4856_cooking_we-never-got-much-in-the-way-of-material_2115055.jpg" --- # We never got much in the way of material things, but if… ![“We never got much in the way of material things, but if you can be spoiled by good cooking, my mom spoiled me three times a day all my life.” quote by John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c5/john-isner-4856_cooking_we-never-got-much-in-the-way-of-material_2115055.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c5/john-isner-4856_cooking_we-never-got-much-in-the-way-of-material_2115055.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c5/john-isner-4856_cooking_we-never-got-much-in-the-way-of-material_2115055.jpg) > “We never got much in the way of material things, but if you can be spoiled by good cooking, my mom spoiled me three times a day all my life.” [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Describes a modest material upbringing but abundant culinary love, suggesting that simple pleasures can outweigh material wealth. **In simple terms:** Food love beats material lack. Key Takeaway Cherish simple joys. Themes gratitude humility comfort Mood warm reflective Type personal inspirational When to use this quote - family meals - budget cooking - celebrating traditions - mindful eating Key Concepts psychology of happiness cultural food values Questions to Reflect On - What simple pleasure enriches your life? - How do you express gratitude for non‑material gifts? A Different Perspective Material scarcity can cause stress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cooking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cooking/) [Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/day/) [Food](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/food/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Material things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/material-things/) [Mom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mom/) ## Related quotes > [I've discovered that people don't actually want to have things spoiled, and they really try to avoid spoilers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-eaton/i-ve-discovered-that-people-don-t-actually-want-to-have-things/) [Rebecca Eaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-eaton/) > [I don't like spoilers. I don't like things being spoiled.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-mcbride/i-don-t-like-spoilers-i-don-t-like-things-being-spoiled/) [Melissa McBride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-mcbride/) > [“her disposition is not all it should be; she wants what she wants when she wants it and she is prone to make every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/her-disposition-is-not-all-it-should-be-she-wants-what-she-wants-when/) [F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/) > [By a lot of people's standards, I lived a very privileged life. I never wanted for attention, I never wanted for material things. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-tate/by-a-lot-of-people-s-standards-i-lived-a-very-privileged-life-i-never/) [Catherine Tate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-tate/) > [I didn't have a great childhood, and neither did Debbie, my wife, so we both try to give the kids not only the material…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-paphitis/i-didn-t-have-a-great-childhood-and-neither-did-debbie-my-wife-so-we/) [Theo Paphitis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-paphitis/) > [Renounce all those material things that you gained by exploiting other human beings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-chapman/renounce-all-those-material-things-that-you-gained-by-exploiting/) [Tracy Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-chapman/) > [If you wish to care for your body, first of all take care of material things, though even when you have all the things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/if-you-wish-to-care-for-your-body-first-of-all-take-care-of-material/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [“When the first chakra is disconnected from the feminine Earth, we can feel orphaned and motherless. The masculine principle predominates, and we look for security…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alberto-villoldo/when-the-first-chakra-is-disconnected-from-the-feminine-earth-we-can/) [Alberto Villoldo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alberto-villoldo/) > [I read American sagas (of the west) and I do not see people who went in search of material things. I see people who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-keyes/i-read-american-sagas-of-the-west-and-i-do-not-see-people-who-went-in/) [Alan Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-keyes/) > [“The poor who commit murder, rape and robbery are not only not starving, they have far more material things than the word ‘poverty’ suggests.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/the-poor-who-commit-murder-rape-and-robbery-are-not-only-not-starving/) [Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/) > [We live in a vastly complex society which has been able to provide us with a multitude of material things, and this is good,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euell-gibbons/we-live-in-a-vastly-complex-society-which-has-been-able-to-provide-us/) [Euell Gibbons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euell-gibbons/) > [“Cause and effect is as absolute and undeviating in the hidden realm of thought as in the world of visible and material things. Mind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-allen/cause-and-effect-is-as-absolute-and-undeviating-in-the-hidden-realm/) [James Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-allen/) > [“Don't envy what people have, emulate what they did to have it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-fargo/don-t-envy-what-people-have-emulate-what-they-did-to-have-it/) [Tim Fargo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-fargo/) > [Our obsession with material things and lack of self-worth is evident in our need for an abundance of momentary luxuries and must-have amenities that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-i/our-obsession-with-material-things-and-lack-of-self-worth-is-evident/) T.I > [“That which they have need of . . . let it be given them day by day without fail. Ezra 6:9 If we really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/watchman-nee/that-which-they-have-need-of-let-it-be-given-them-day-by-day-without/) [Watchman Nee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/watchman-nee/) ## More by John Isner > [You know, Slams are tough. It's the most physical, in my opinion. You're playing three out of five.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/you-know-slams-are-tough-it-s-the-most-physical-in-my-opinion-you-re/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [There are a lot of things that go on between the lines of a tennis court, mentally, physically and whatnot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/there-are-a-lot-of-things-that-go-on-between-the-lines-of-a-tennis/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [For many years, tennis was the most important thing in my life. That was great. Nothing wrong with that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/for-many-years-tennis-was-the-most-important-thing-in-my-life-that/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [The best thing about being 6'9'' is that it helps with my tennis game, especially with my serve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/the-best-thing-about-being-6-9-is-that-it-helps-with-my-tennis-game/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [My favorite tournament is the U.S. Open because the atmosphere is great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/my-favorite-tournament-is-the-u-s-open-because-the-atmosphere-is-great/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [Any time you get to come to New York and be near New York City, that is a very cool opportunity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/any-time-you-get-to-come-to-new-york-and-be-near-new-york-city-that/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [I know where I'm ranked, but I don't look at it that much, I don't study it that much. You really can't look at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/i-know-where-i-m-ranked-but-i-don-t-look-at-it-that-much-i-don-t/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [I always ask for the exit row when flying. Airlines are pretty accommodating and most of the time I'll get it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/i-always-ask-for-the-exit-row-when-flying-airlines-are-pretty/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [You're going to lose points and gain points throughout the year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/you-re-going-to-lose-points-and-gain-points-throughout-the-year/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [People seem to think when you lose a match it's because you are not working hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/people-seem-to-think-when-you-lose-a-match-it-s-because-you-are-not/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [A lot of times when I'm confident and relaxed on the court, I'm going to be a pretty tough out. But when I'm not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/a-lot-of-times-when-i-m-confident-and-relaxed-on-the-court-i-m-going/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [When I fly overseas, I usually fly business class. If not, my knees are going to be at my chin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/when-i-fly-overseas-i-usually-fly-business-class-if-not-my-knees-are/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [I was always a late bloomer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/i-was-always-a-late-bloomer/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [I can't beat guys consistently playing like I'm 5-foot-10.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/i-can-t-beat-guys-consistently-playing-like-i-m-5-foot-10/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) > [The good wins are still great, and you are on cloud nine when that happens, but the losses sting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/the-good-wins-are-still-great-and-you-are-on-cloud-nine-when-that/) [John Isner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) [Explore all 105 John Isner quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/) ## More Cooking quotes > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [The more perfect the sight is the more delightful the beautiful object. The more perfect the appetite, the sweeter the food. The more musical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-baxter/the-more-perfect-the-sight-is-the-more-delightful-the-beautiful/) [Richard Baxter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-baxter/) > [I enjoy cooking, but stick to modern dishes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-starkey/i-enjoy-cooking-but-stick-to-modern-dishes/) [David Starkey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-starkey/) > [Give me a platter of choice finnan haddie, freshly cooked in its bath of water and milk, add melted butter, a slice or two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-claiborne/give-me-a-platter-of-choice-finnan-haddie-freshly-cooked-in-its-bath/) [Craig Claiborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-claiborne/) > [A man accustomed to American food and American domestic cookery would not starve to death suddenly in Europe, but I think he would gradually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/a-man-accustomed-to-american-food-and-american-domestic-cookery-would/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“In the back of the fridge I checked out some stewed apples destined to fester. I examined them closely and reckoned they had only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-brown/in-the-back-of-the-fridge-i-checked-out-some-stewed-apples-destined/) [Helen Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-brown/) > [My Mom always cooked healthy. Greek food lends itself to cooking healthy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cat-cora/my-mom-always-cooked-healthy-greek-food-lends-itself-to-cooking/) [Cat Cora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cat-cora/) > [Cooking brings me so much joy. I love everything, down to the execution of the plate to picking out fresh ingredients at the market.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-budig/cooking-brings-me-so-much-joy-i-love-everything-down-to-the-execution/) [Kathryn Budig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-budig/) > [Recipes don't work unless you use your heart!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-jones/recipes-don-t-work-unless-you-use-your-heart/) Dylan Jones > [Cooking is 80 percent confidence, a skill best acquired starting from when the apron strings wrap around you twice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-kingsolver/cooking-is-80-percent-confidence-a-skill-best-acquired-starting-from/) [Barbara Kingsolver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-kingsolver/) > [I have a great time cooking and eating Thai green chicken curry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akshay-kumar/i-have-a-great-time-cooking-and-eating-thai-green-chicken-curry/) [Akshay Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akshay-kumar/) > [There are times when born hollandaise heads, as well as nouveaux turbot freaks and recherche escargotphiles alike crave the saignet abundance of a New…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gael-greene/there-are-times-when-born-hollandaise-heads-as-well-as-nouveaux/) [Gael Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gael-greene/) > [Speaking of trust, ever since I wrote this book, 'Liespotting,' no one wants to meet me in person anymore - no, no, no, no,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pamela-meyer/speaking-of-trust-ever-since-i-wrote-this-book-liespotting-no-one/) [Pamela Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pamela-meyer/) > [Balance is key in cooking - you want a little acid, a little sweet, a little savory - the flavors should be harmonious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-simmons/balance-is-key-in-cooking-you-want-a-little-acid-a-little-sweet-a/) [Gail Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-simmons/) > [A combination of the qualities of the scholar, the master cook, the painter, the gastronomer, the sportsman and the pantologist, assisted by the skill…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-ellwanger/a-combination-of-the-qualities-of-the-scholar-the-master-cook-the/) [George Ellwanger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-ellwanger/) [Browse all 2,937 Cooking quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cooking/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We never got much in the way of material things, but if you can be spoiled by good cooking, my mom spoiled me three times a day all my life.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Isner" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/we-never-got-much-in-the-way-of-material-things-but-if-you-can-be/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cooking" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/we-never-got-much-in-the-way-of-material-things-but-if-you-can-be/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c5/john-isner-4856_cooking_we-never-got-much-in-the-way-of-material_2115055.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c5/john-isner-4856_cooking_we-never-got-much-in-the-way-of-material_2115055.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c5/john-isner-4856_cooking_we-never-got-much-in-the-way-of-material_2115055.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We never got much in the way of material things, but if you can be spoiled by good cooking, my mom spoiled…” — John Isner", "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 Isner", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-isner/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We never got much in the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/we-never-got-much-in-the-way-of-material-things-but-if-you-can-be/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-isner/we-never-got-much-in-the-way-of-material-things-but-if-you-can-be/#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 } } ] } ```