Quote by Thomas Jefferson
No nation is drunken where wine is cheap; and none sober, where the dearness of wine substitutes ardent spirits as the common beverage. It is, in truth, the only antidote to the bane of whiskey.
Summary
This quote highlights the role of affordability in shaping the alcohol consumption patterns of a nation. It suggests that when wine is inexpensive and readily available, people are less inclined to resort to stronger alcoholic beverages like spirits. It implies that widespread accessibility to affordable wine can act as a deterrent to excessive alcohol consumption, particularly the damaging effects of whiskey. In essence, the quote argues that making wine more affordable could potentially mitigate the negative consequences associated with heavy drinking that often accompany the consumption of stronger alcoholic beverages.