--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The perverted ingenuity of man has given…" description: "\"The perverted ingenuity of man has given to water the power of intoxicating where wine is not procured. Western nations intoxicate themselves by moiste..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/935/pliny-the-elder-2838_given_the-perverted-ingenuity-of-man-has-given_1569484.png" --- # The perverted ingenuity of man has given to water the… ![“The perverted ingenuity of man has given to water the power of intoxicating where wine is not procured. Western nations intoxicate themselves by moistened grain.” quote by Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/935/pliny-the-elder-2838_given_the-perverted-ingenuity-of-man-has-given_1569484.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/935/pliny-the-elder-2838_given_the-perverted-ingenuity-of-man-has-given_1569484.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/935/pliny-the-elder-2838_given_the-perverted-ingenuity-of-man-has-given_1569484.png) > “The perverted ingenuity of man has given to water the power of intoxicating where wine is not procured. Western nations intoxicate themselves by moistened grain.” [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Humans find intoxicating substitutes for wine, using grain and water to achieve similar effects, reflecting a universal desire for altered states. **In simple terms:** People replace wine with grain‑water drinks for intoxication. Key Takeaway Recognize alternative means of escapism. Themes addiction culture substitution Mood observational analytical Type historical cultural When to use this quote - festivals - rituals - social drinking - economic scarcity Key Concepts intoxication resourcefulness human desire Questions to Reflect On - Why do societies seek altered consciousness? - What are the risks of substituting substances? A Different Perspective Reliance on substitutes may mask underlying social issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Grain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grain/) [Ingenuity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ingenuity/) [Intoxicate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intoxicate/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Nations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nations/) [Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water/) [Western](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/western/) [Wine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wine/) ## Related quotes > [“You are so beautiful, I could eat you,” he said. And it was true. Her smile was as intoxicating as the wine. And he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-eriksson/you-are-so-beautiful-i-could-eat-you-he-said-and-it-was-true-her/) [Jonas Eriksson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-eriksson/) > [“Having drunk the dregs of Your Love, I am intoxicated beyond recognition. 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Wrights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-s-wrights/) ## More by Pliny the Elder > [Simple diet is best: for many dishes bring many diseases, and rich sauces are worse than even heaping several meats upon each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/simple-diet-is-best-for-many-dishes-bring-many-diseases-and-rich/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) > [Amid the sufferings of life on earth, suicide is God's best gift to man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/amid-the-sufferings-of-life-on-earth-suicide-is-god-s-best-gift-to-man/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) > [The happier the moment the shorter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/the-happier-the-moment-the-shorter/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) > [Indeed, what is there that does not appear marvelous when it comes to our knowledge for the first time? 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