Bernard Mandeville, The Fable of the Bees: Or, Private Vices, Public Benefits (6th edition, London: J. Tonson, 1732), Remark P, p. 187.
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I have often thought, if it was not for this Tyranny which Custom usurps over us, that Men of any tolerable Good-nature could never be reconcil'd to the killing of so many Animals for their daily Food, as long as the bountiful Earth so plentifully provides them with Varieties of vegetable Dainties.
— Bernard Mandeville on Vegetarianism
What It Means
This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "I have often thought, if it was not for this Tyranny which Custom usurps over us, that Men of any tolerable Good-nature could never be reconcil'd to the killing of so many Animals for their daily Food, as long as the bountiful Earth so plentifully provides them with Varieties of vegetable Dainties." in the context of "Bernard Mandeville, The Fable of the Bees: Or, Private Vices, Public Benefits (6th edition, London: J. Tonson, 1732), Remark P, p. 187." to mean that wisdom is timeless.
Source: Wikiquote: "Vegetarianism" (M)
The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
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About Bernard Mandeville
Bernard Mandeville (or Bernard de Mandeville) (baptised November 20 1670, died January 21 1733) was a Dutch physician, poet and social philosopher who settled in England. Most of his works, including his controversial satire The Fable of the Bees, were written in English.
About Bernard Mandeville
Bernard Mandeville (or Bernard de Mandeville) (baptised November 20 1670, died January 21 1733) was a Dutch physician, poet and social philosopher who settled in England. Most of his works, including his controversial satire The Fable of the Bees, were written in English.
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