"On Eating and Drinking" Summary

An aged innkeeper asks Almustafa to talk about eating and drinking. He wishes people could live on fragrance and air, but humans must kill to eat. Therefore, killing should be an act of worship, acknowledging the victim is purer than man. The killer must confess that he too will be consumed someday by a mightier hand. Eating an apple, one should confess that its seeds live in his body and will blossom in his heart. Man and apple shall rejoice in all seasons. In autumn, gathering grapes, man must realize he too is a vineyard destined for the winepress and bottling in eternal vessels. In winter, drinking wine, one should have a song in one's heart, remembering all that has gone into the cup.

"On Eating and Drinking" Analysis

Almustafa says nothing about gluttony, which...