A Literary Culinary Journal
God cannot appear before a starving man except in the form of bread.–Mahatma Gandhi, 1947
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement. A pioneer of satyagraha, or resistance to tyranny through mass civil disobedience, Gandhi led India to independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world.
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by Simón de Swaan
A hungry stomach cannot hear.–Jean de La Fontaine, 1679
Jean de La Fontaine was the most famous French fabulist and one of the most widely read French poets of the 17th century. He is known above all for his fables, which provided a model for subsequent fabulists across Europe and numerous alternative versions in France and in French regional languages.
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In eating, a third of the stomach should be filled with food, a third with drink, and the rest left empty.—Babylonian Talmud, c. 500
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history.
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Whatsoever was the father of a disease, an ill diet was the mother.–George Herbert, 1651
George Herbert was an English poet and orator, as well as an Anglican priest. Throughout his life, he wrote religious poems characterized by a precision of language and an ingenious use of imagery or conceits that was favored by the metaphysical school of poets. Some of Herbert‘s poems have endured as hymns, including “King of Glory, King of Peace” (Praise), “Let All the World in Every Corner Sing” (Antiphon) and “Teach me, my God and King” (The Elixir).
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by Simón de Swaan
Governing a great nation is much like cooking a small fish.–Laozi, c. 550 BC
Laozi was an Ancient Chinese mystic philosopher, best known as author of the Tao Te Ching. His association with the Tao Te Ching has led him to be traditionally considered the founder of Taoism. Taoist propriety and ethics emphasize the The Three Jewels of Tao Te Ching: compassion, moderation, and humility, while its thought generally focuses on nature, the relationship between humanity and the cosmos; health and longevity; and Wu Wei (action through inaction).
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by Simón de Swaan
Why is not a rat as good as a rabbit? Why should men eat shrimps and neglect cockroaches?–Henry Ward Beecher, 1862
Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887) was a prominent Congregationalist clergyman, social reformer, abolitionist, and speaker in the mid- to late 19th century. An 1875 adultery trial in which he was accused of having an affair with a married woman was one of the most notorious American trials of the 19th century.
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by Simón de Swaan
A man hath no better thing under the sun than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry.–Book of Ecclesiastes, c. 225 BC
The Book of Ecclesiastes is from the Hebrew Bible, or Old Testament. It contains reflections on the meaning of life. “This book gives Christians a chance to see the world through the eyes of a person who, though very wise, is trying to find meaning in temporary, human things. Most every form of worldly pleasure is explored by the Preacher, and none of it gives him a sense of meaning,” says Got Questions. Neither the writer nor the date have been directly identified, but some of it is certainly by Solomon.
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by Simón de Swaan
When men drink, then they are rich and successful and win lawsuits and are happy and help their friends. Quickly, bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever.–Aristophanes, 424 BC
Aristophanes was a Greek comic writer and the son of Philippus. Most of his plays were political satires highlighting the troubles in Athens during that period. Many were performed at festivals, and were watched and voted for by the people. Unfortunately, out of the 40 plays he wrote, only 11 survive today.
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by Simon de Swaan
He is not a greedy one who is concerned for his next day’s food.–Egyptian instructional papyrus, c .50
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by Simón de Swaan
The belly is the reason why man does not mistake himself for a god.–Friedrich Nietzsche, 1886
Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) was a German philosopher of the late 19th and early 20th century who challenged the foundations of Christianity and traditional morality. Central to his philosophy is the idea of “life-affirmation,” which involves an honest questioning of all doctrines that drain life’s expansive energies, however socially prevalent those views might be.
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Meet Jonell Galloway, a freelance writer and editor specialized in French cuisine. 
