Summary
This quote suggests that when we eat silently, without engaging in conversation or social interaction, the experience becomes merely a physical act of consuming food. By emphasizing the importance of conversation during meals, it implies that the true enjoyment of eating lies not only in the taste and nourishment of food, but also in the connection and engagement we have with others. Eating without conversation is likened to a fire only being stoked – lacking the warmth, depth, and enrichment that conversations bring to the dining experience.