--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Water and our necessary food are the only…" description: "\"Water and our necessary food are the only things that wise men must fight for.\" — Plutarch" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cca/plutarch-597_fighting_water-and-our-necessary-food-are-the-onl_1926709.jpg" --- # Water and our necessary food are the only things that wise… ![“Water and our necessary food are the only things that wise men must fight for.” quote by Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cca/plutarch-597_fighting_water-and-our-necessary-food-are-the-onl_1926709.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cca/plutarch-597_fighting_water-and-our-necessary-food-are-the-onl_1926709.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cca/plutarch-597_fighting_water-and-our-necessary-food-are-the-onl_1926709.jpg) > “Water and our necessary food are the only things that wise men must fight for.” [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Wise individuals must protect essential resources like water and food from threats. **In simple terms:** Protect essential resources. Key Takeaway Guard basic needs. Themes survival wisdom resource protection Mood concerned serious Type political philosophical When to use this quote - political leadership - resource scarcity - public policy - environmental activism Key Concepts ethics politics environment Questions to Reflect On - How do we balance protecting basics with broader societal goals? - What responsibilities do leaders have to ensure resource security? A Different Perspective May overlook larger systemic issues beyond basic needs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fight/) [Healing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/healing/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) [Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise/) [Wise men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise-men/) ## Related quotes > [The fewer blows, the better. Brave men fight if they must; wise men never fight if they can help it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/the-fewer-blows-the-better-brave-men-fight-if-they-must-wise-men/) [Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/) > [In order to induce the process of decay, water is necessary. I think that, in the case of women, men are the water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natsuo-kirino/in-order-to-induce-the-process-of-decay-water-is-necessary-i-think/) [Natsuo Kirino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natsuo-kirino/) > [Water is necessary, and then generators, and then food, and then clothes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teresa-heinz/water-is-necessary-and-then-generators-and-then-food-and-then-clothes/) [Teresa Heinz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teresa-heinz/) > [In a country where half a million die every year only for drinking polluted water, it is more necessary for us to do something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/imran-khan/in-a-country-where-half-a-million-die-every-year-only-for-drinking/) [Imran Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/imran-khan/) > [Bodies which contain a greater proportion of water than is necessary to balance the other elements, are speedily corrupted, and lose their virtues and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/bodies-which-contain-a-greater-proportion-of-water-than-is-necessary/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There are always funds for the wars and for the very expensive existence of wealthy people. Why not for the water so necessary to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariana-fulger/there-are-always-funds-for-the-wars-and-for-the-very-expensive/) [Mariana Fulger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariana-fulger/) > [It is as necessary for man to live in beauty rather than ugliness as it is necessary for him to have food for an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-maslow/it-is-as-necessary-for-man-to-live-in-beauty-rather-than-ugliness-as/) [Abraham Maslow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-maslow/) > [ I do not think \[poetry\] is more, or less, necessary than food, shelter, health, education, decent working conditions. It is as necessary. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrienne-rich/i-do-not-think-poetry-is-more-or-less-necessary-than-food-shelter/) [Adrienne Rich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrienne-rich/) > [Cultivation to the mind is as necessary as food to the body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/cultivation-to-the-mind-is-as-necessary-as-food-to-the-body/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [To me, video games aren't something as necessary as food or sleep, but they're just as important as delicious food, drinks, afternoon naps, walks,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hidetaka-suehiro/to-me-video-games-aren-t-something-as-necessary-as-food-or-sleep-but/) [Hidetaka Suehiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hidetaka-suehiro/) > [“Cultivation of the mind is as necessary as food to the body”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/cultivation-of-the-mind-is-as-necessary-as-food-to-the-body/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [I learned from my two years' experience that it would cost incredibly little trouble to obtain one's necessary food; that a man may use…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/i-learned-from-my-two-years-experience-that-it-would-cost-incredibly/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [For to err in opinion, though it be not the part of wise men, is at least human.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/for-to-err-in-opinion-though-it-be-not-the-part-of-wise-men-is-at/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Wise men are able to make a fitting use even of their enmities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/wise-men-are-able-to-make-a-fitting-use-even-of-their-enmities/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Cato used to assert that wise men profited more by fools than fools by wise men; for that wise men avoided the faults of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/cato-used-to-assert-that-wise-men-profited-more-by-fools-than-fools/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) ## More by Plutarch > [When Eudæmonidas heard a philosopher arguing that only a wise man can be a good general, "This is a wonderful speech," said he; "but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/when-eud-monidas-heard-a-philosopher-arguing-that-only-a-wise-man-can/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [The generous mind adds dignity to every act, and nothing misbecomes it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/the-generous-mind-adds-dignity-to-every-act-and-nothing-misbecomes-it/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Painting is silent poetry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/painting-is-silent-poetry/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [King Agis said, "The Lacedæmonians are not wont to ask how many, but where the enemy are."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/king-agis-said-the-laced-monians-are-not-wont-to-ask-how-many-but/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Alexander wept when he heard from Anaxarchus that there was an infinite number of worlds; and his friends asking him if any accident had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/alexander-wept-when-he-heard-from-anaxarchus-that-there-was-an/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Proper listening is the foundation of proper living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/proper-listening-is-the-foundation-of-proper-living/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Painting is silent poetry, and poetry is painting that speaks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/painting-is-silent-poetry-and-poetry-is-painting-that-speaks/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Speech is like cloth of Arras opened and put abroad, whereby the imagery doth appear in figure; whereas in thoughts they lie but as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/speech-is-like-cloth-of-arras-opened-and-put-abroad-whereby-the/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [There were two brothers called Both and Either; perceiving Either was a good, understanding, busy fellow, and Both a silly fellow and good for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/there-were-two-brothers-called-both-and-either-perceiving-either-was/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Why does pouring Oil on the Sea make it Clear and Calm? Is it that the winds, slipping the smooth oil, have no force,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/why-does-pouring-oil-on-the-sea-make-it-clear-and-calm-is-it-that-the/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [This excerpt is presented as reproduced by Copernicus in the preface to De Revolutionibus: "Some think that the earth remains at rest. But Philolaus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/this-excerpt-is-presented-as-reproduced-by-copernicus-in-the-preface/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [It is part of a good man to do great and noble deeds, though he risk everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/it-is-part-of-a-good-man-to-do-great-and-noble-deeds-though-he-risk/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [I am whatever was, or is, or will be; and my veil no mortal ever took up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/i-am-whatever-was-or-is-or-will-be-and-my-veil-no-mortal-ever-took-up/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [The pilot cannot mitigate the billows or calm the winds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/the-pilot-cannot-mitigate-the-billows-or-calm-the-winds/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [“In Springtime, O Dionysos, To thy holy temple come, To Elis with thy Graces, Rushing with thy bull-foot, come, Noble Bull, Noble Bull”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/in-springtime-o-dionysos-to-thy-holy-temple-come-to-elis-with-thy/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) [Explore all 451 Plutarch quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) ## More Fight quotes > [“I wanted a fight. I needed a fight. I was sick and tired of playing nice. I AM NOT NICE. - Caleb”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-roberts/i-wanted-a-fight-i-needed-a-fight-i-was-sick-and-tired-of-playing/) [C.J. Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-roberts/) > [I used to fight with hate. There's been a lot of aggression in my past growing up and stuff. That's because I was hurt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-namajunas/i-used-to-fight-with-hate-there-s-been-a-lot-of-aggression-in-my-past/) [Rose Namajunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-namajunas/) > [You have to fight gravity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherwin-wine/you-have-to-fight-gravity/) [Sherwin Wine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherwin-wine/) > [I thought I fought a really good Orlando Salido. I never let him get into his fight. I knew what I needed to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikey-garcia/i-thought-i-fought-a-really-good-orlando-salido-i-never-let-him-get/) [Mikey Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikey-garcia/) > [If U.S. air, naval, missile, and ground forces were not in and around Korea, and if we were not treaty-bound to fight alongside South…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-buchanan/if-u-s-air-naval-missile-and-ground-forces-were-not-in-and-around/) [Pat Buchanan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-buchanan/) > [I am a fighter and I am in that fight and I have to make sure that I share the responsibility with my players…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-ten-hag/i-am-a-fighter-and-i-am-in-that-fight-and-i-have-to-make-sure-that-i/) [Erik ten Hag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-ten-hag/) > [I honestly would like to get that Frankie fight back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-mendes/i-honestly-would-like-to-get-that-frankie-fight-back/) [Chad Mendes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-mendes/) > [I'm looking to fight the best guys in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yair-rodriguez/i-m-looking-to-fight-the-best-guys-in-the-world/) [Yair Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yair-rodriguez/) > [I worked a lot in Chicago's theater scene as a fight choreographer. And so I do have a lot of experience in stage combat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-offerman/i-worked-a-lot-in-chicago-s-theater-scene-as-a-fight-choreographer/) [Nick Offerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-offerman/) > [I want to fight the fights that fans want to see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-poirier/i-want-to-fight-the-fights-that-fans-want-to-see/) [Dustin Poirier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-poirier/) > [We shall fight against them, throw them in prisons and destroy them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/we-shall-fight-against-them-throw-them-in-prisons-and-destroy-them/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [I really believe if GSP and Silva fight, Georges will have his hand raised.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-hughes/i-really-believe-if-gsp-and-silva-fight-georges-will-have-his-hand/) [Matt Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-hughes/) > [We fight to defend our democratic ideals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lloyd-austin/we-fight-to-defend-our-democratic-ideals/) [Lloyd Austin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lloyd-austin/) > [Therefore, our fight must primarily be a political mass struggle with revolutionary goals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-slovo/therefore-our-fight-must-primarily-be-a-political-mass-struggle-with/) [Joe Slovo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-slovo/) > [I always fight better when my opponent's angry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-haye/i-always-fight-better-when-my-opponent-s-angry/) [David Haye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-haye/) [Browse all 9,748 Fight quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fight/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Water and our necessary food are the only things that wise men must fight for.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Plutarch" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/water-and-our-necessary-food-are-the-only-things-that-wise-men-must/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Fight" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/water-and-our-necessary-food-are-the-only-things-that-wise-men-must/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cca/plutarch-597_fighting_water-and-our-necessary-food-are-the-onl_1926709.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cca/plutarch-597_fighting_water-and-our-necessary-food-are-the-onl_1926709.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cca/plutarch-597_fighting_water-and-our-necessary-food-are-the-onl_1926709.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Water and our necessary food are the only things that wise men must fight for.” — Plutarch", "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": "Plutarch", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Water and our necessary food are...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/water-and-our-necessary-food-are-the-only-things-that-wise-men-must/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/water-and-our-necessary-food-are-the-only-things-that-wise-men-must/#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 } } ] } ```