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Barley Quote by Lewis Carroll

“When I’m a Duchess,” she said to herself (not in a very hopeful tone though), “I won’t have any pepper in my kitchen at all. Soup does very well without. Maybe it’s always pepper that makes people hot-tempered,” she went on, very much pleased at having found out a new kind of rule, “and vinegar…” quote by Lewis Carroll
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“When I’m a Duchess,” she said to herself (not in a very hopeful tone though), “I won’t have any pepper in my kitchen at all. Soup does very well without. Maybe it’s always pepper that makes people hot-tempered,” she went on, very much pleased at having found out a new kind of rule, “and vinegar that makes them sour—and camomile that makes them bitter—and—and barley-sugar and such things that make children sweet-tempered. I only wish people knew that; then they wouldn’t be so stingy about it, you know—”

Lewis Carroll

About This Quote

Source Book: Through the Looking-Glass, 1871

The speaker humorously lists foods that supposedly affect temperament, suggesting a whimsical belief that diet controls behavior.

In simple terms: Food influences mood in a playful way.

Key Takeaway

Consider how diet may affect mood.

Themes

humor food temperament social commentary

Mood

lighthearted reflective

Type

anecdotal satirical

When to use this quote

  • family meals
  • parenting
  • self-reflection
  • dietary choices
  • teaching children

Key Concepts

psychology culinary folklore behavioral theory

Questions to Reflect On

  • Do you think diet truly changes temperament?
  • How much do cultural beliefs shape our view of food and mood?
A Different Perspective

The claim is fanciful and not scientifically proven.

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