Butter Quote by M.F.K. Fisher
““There are very few men and women, I suspect, who cooked and marketed their way through the past war without losing forever some of the nonchalant extravagance of the Twenties. They will feel, until their final days on earth, a kind of culinary caution: butter, no matter how unlimited, is a precious substance not lightly to be wasted; meats, too, and eggs, and all the far-brought spices of the world, take on a new significance, having once been so rare. And that is good, for there can be no more shameful carelessness than with the food we eat for life itself When we exist without thought or thanksgiving we are not men, but beasts.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Gastronomical Me, M.F.K. Fisher, 1943
The quote reflects how wartime scarcity reshapes attitudes toward food, turning once‑abundant items into valued resources and urging gratitude for sustenance.
In simple terms: War makes us value food more and be thankful.
Key Takeaway
Appreciate and conserve what you eat.
Themes
gratitude
food
war
mindfulness
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- cooking during rationing
- budget grocery shopping
- celebrating simple meals
- teaching children about food value
Key Concepts
scarcity
cultural shift
ethical consumption
Questions to Reflect On
- How does scarcity change your relationship with food?
- What practices help maintain gratitude for everyday meals?
A Different Perspective
Even after scarcity ends, people may still over‑protect food, leading to wasteful hoarding.
