Animal Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“SIR,-Your letter of February the 18th came to hand on the 1st instant; and the request of the history of my physical habits would have puzzled me not a little, had it not been for the model with which you accompanied it, of Doctor Rush's answer to a similar inquiry. I live so much like other people, that I might refer to ordinary life as a history of my own. Like my friend the Doctor, I have lived temperately, eating very little animal food, and that not as an aliment, so much as a condiment for the vegetables, which constitute my principle diet.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Personal correspondence, February 18, 1790, to an unknown recipient
Jefferson describes his modest, plant‑based diet and frames his daily life as a personal history, emphasizing temperance and simplicity.
In simple terms: He lives simply, eating little meat, viewing his life as his own story.
Key Takeaway
Adopt a modest, mindful diet.
Themes
temperance
diet
personal history
simplicity
Mood
thoughtful
introspective
Type
historical
personal
When to use this quote
- daily routine
- dietary choices
- historical letters
- personal memoirs
Key Concepts
nutrition
self‑reflection
Questions to Reflect On
- What role does diet play in shaping personal identity?
- How does temperance affect modern lifestyle?
A Different Perspective
His diet may reflect personal philosophy but may not suit everyone’s health needs.
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