Sadder than destitution, sadder than a beggar is the man who eats alone in public. Nothing more contradicts the laws of man or beast, for animals always do each other the honor of sharing or disputing each other's food.

Summary

This quote suggests that there is a deep sadness and isolation associated with eating alone in public. It argues that even destitution or being a beggar might not be as sad or contradictory as the experience of dining alone in a social setting. It emphasizes the importance of sharing or contending for food, highlighting how animals naturally exhibit this behavior. The quote implies that humans, in indulging in solitary eating in public, break the inherent social norms observed even among animals.

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