Feast Quote by Will Durant
““Three meals a day are a highly advanced institution. Savages gorge themselves or fast.”2 The wilder tribes among the American Indians considered it weak-kneed and unseemly to preserve food for the next day.3 The natives of Australia are incapable of any labor whose reward is not immediate; every Hottentot is a gentleman of leisure; and with the Bushmen of Africa it is always “either a feast or a famine.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Story of Civilization, Volume 1, 1935
The quote critiques the habit of regular meals as a cultural construct, contrasting it with societies that prioritize immediate consumption or have different food practices.
In simple terms: Regular meals are a cultural habit, not a universal necessity.
Key Takeaway
Question cultural norms, question assumptions.
Themes
culture
food
civilization
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
observational
anthropological
When to use this quote
- travel
- dietary planning
- cross‑cultural communication
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
anthropology
social norms
Questions to Reflect On
- How do meal patterns reflect societal values?
- What are the health impacts of irregular eating?
A Different Perspective
May overlook benefits of regular nutrition for health.
