--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I hated tobacco. I could have almost lent…" description: "\"I hated tobacco. I could have almost lent my support to any institution that had for its object the putting of tobacco smokers to death...I now feel th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58b/thomas-huxley-1183_comfortable_i-hated-tobacco-i-could-have-almost-lent_858764.png" --- # I hated tobacco. I could have almost lent my support to… ![“I hated tobacco. I could have almost lent my support to any institution that had for its object the putting of tobacco smokers to death...I now feel that smoking in moderation is a comfortable and laudable practice, and is productive of good. There is no more harm in a pipe than in a cup of tea…” quote by Thomas Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58b/thomas-huxley-1183_comfortable_i-hated-tobacco-i-could-have-almost-lent_858764.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58b/thomas-huxley-1183_comfortable_i-hated-tobacco-i-could-have-almost-lent_858764.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58b/thomas-huxley-1183_comfortable_i-hated-tobacco-i-could-have-almost-lent_858764.png) > “I hated tobacco. I could have almost lent my support to any institution that had for its object the putting of tobacco smokers to death...I now feel that smoking in moderation is a comfortable and laudable practice, and is productive of good. There is no more harm in a pipe than in a cup of tea. You may poison yourself by drinking too much green tea, and kill yourself by eating too many beefsteaks. For my part, I consider that tobacco, in moderation, is a sweetener and equalizer of the temper.” [Thomas Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-huxley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The author argues that moderate tobacco use is harmless compared to other risks, suggesting a relativistic view of harm. **In simple terms:** Moderate smoking seen as relatively safe. Key Takeaway Consider risk in context. Themes risk moderation comparisons health Mood analytical skeptical Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - diet choices - smoking habits - health policy Key Concepts relativism risk assessment public health Questions to Reflect On - Is any habit truly harmless? - How do we weigh different health risks? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cup of tea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cup-of-tea/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Drinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drinking/) [Drinking too much](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drinking-too-much/) [Eating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eating/) [Green tea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/green-tea/) [Harm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harm/) [Institutions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/institutions/) [Killing yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/killing-yourself/) [Moderation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moderation/) [Pipe smoking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pipe-smoking/) [Poison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poison/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Smokers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smokers/) [Smoking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smoking/) [Support](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/support/) [Sweeteners](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sweeteners/) [Tea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tea/) [Temper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/temper/) [Tobacco smoking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tobacco-smoking/) ## Related quotes > [It is no defense of superstition and pseudoscience to say that it brings solace and comfort to people. . . . 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