Gourmandism is an act of judgment, by which we prefer things which have a pleasant taste to those which lack this quality. Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin More Quotes by Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin More Quotes From Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin You first parents of the human race...who ruined yourself for an apple, what might you have done for a truffled turkey? Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin turkeys race food Once fire was discovered, the instinct for improvement made men bring food to it. First to dry it, then to put it on the coals to cook. Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin fire discovery men Some dishes are of such indisputable excellence that their appearance alone is capable of arousing a level-headed man's degustatory powers. All those who, when presented with such a dish, show neither the rush of desire, nor the radiance of ecstasy, may justly be deemed unworthy of the honors of the sitting, and its related delights. Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin excellence honor men Seating themselves on the greensward, they eat while the corks fly and there is talk, laughter and merriment, and perfect freedom, for the universe is their drawing room and the sun their lamp. Besides, they have appetite, Nature's special gift, which lends to such a meal a vivacity unknown indoors, however beautiful the surroundings. Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin laughter food beautiful Those persons who suffer from indigestion, or who become drunk, are utterly ignorant of the true principles of eating and drinking. Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin ignorant drunk drinking The limits of pleasure are as yet neither known nor fixed, and that we have no idea what degree of bodily bliss we are capable of attaining. Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin degrees limits ideas I am not accustomed to take my wine in pills. Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin dessert pills wine L'alcool est le monarque des liquides, et porte au dernier degre l'exaltation palatale. Alcohol is the prince of liquids, and carries the palate to its highest pitch of exaltation. Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin exaltation liquid alcohol Nothing is more pleasant than to see a pretty woman, her napkin well placed under her arms, one of her hands on the table, while the other carries to her mouth, the choice piece so elegantly carved. Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin pretty-woman choices hands Those from whom nature has withheld taste invented trousers. Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin cooking taste food Let the progress of the meal be slow, for dinner is the last business of the day; and let the guests conduct themselves like travelers due to reach their destination together. Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin progress meals together The table is the only place where we do not get weary during the first hour. Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin hours tables firsts In the state of society in which we now find ourselves, it is difficult to imagine a nation which lived solely on bread and vegetables. Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin imagine vegetables bread To know how to eat well, one must first know how to wait. Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin wells waiting firsts In fine, the truffle is the very diamond of gastronomy. Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin truffles fine culinary The number of flavors is infinite, for every soluble body has a peculiar flavor, like none other. Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin flavor peculiar numbers Hearing, which, by the motion of the air, informs us of the motion of sounding or vibrating bodies. Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin hearing body air Gourmandise is an impassioned, rational, and habitual preference for all objects which flatter the sense of taste. Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin culinary taste food The German Doctors say that persons sensible of harmony have one sense more than others. Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin harmony doctors sensible A man who was fond of wine was offered some grapes at dessert after dinner. "Much obliged," said he, pushing the plate aside, "I am not accustomed to take my wine in pills." Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin wine drinking food