A human being is primarily a bag for putting food into; the other functions and faculties may be more godlike, but in point of time they come afterwards. A man dies and is buried, and all his words and actions are forgotten, but the food he has eaten lives after him in the sound or rotten bones of his children. I think it could be plausibly argued that changes of diet are more important than changes of dynasty or even of religion....Yet it is curious how seldom the all-importance of food is recognized. You see statues everywhere to politicians, poets, bishops, but none to cooks or bacon-curers or market gardeners.

Summary

This quote highlights the often overlooked significance of food in human existence. It argues that although humans possess faculties and abilities that may be considered more noble, the act of consuming food is essential for survival and sustenance. It implies that we are primarily driven by the basic need for nourishment, and the consequences of the food we consume can have a lasting impact on future generations. The quote also criticizes society's tendency to pay little attention to the crucial role of food, as it highlights the lack of recognition given to those who provide and prepare food, compared to the acclaim given to other professions.

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