Which of the following two statements better describes you?

Question

"I eat to live."

or

"I live to eat."

Or, if you prefer

Are you more of an Epicurean or a Stoic?

No need to justify if you don't care to. We all know that some prefer pleasure and some pain. Oh, but I really would like to know why YOU prefer pleasure or pain? Masochists of the world this is your time to speak out. I'm a closest masochist myself.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epicurean
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoic

wizebloke: You placed your answer in quotes. Out of curiosity do you know who said that?

wizebloke: Just in case you don't know, you can click on that EDIT button under your answer to add to it.

YD: What you say is true. But is it not also true that there are some people who make eating (or any form of pleasure you choose to consider) their primary function (or one of their primary functions) in life to the relative exclusion of other functions the Creator you mention intended for us?

psiboy13: Now you know you're just repeating (and probably mocking) what you've heard others say about your food choices. Wishing you well.

Josh: Your second statement can be interpreted two different ways in this context. Perhaps you intended to leave it confusing like that (in which case you'd make an excellent politician.)

misschatea: So you do neither? You subsist on air and intellect?

Answer 1

Neither really describes me! Both too limiting & simplistic. I'm a multi-dimensional character! :)

I suppose I eat (& drink & have a shelter, clothing etc) to live in the sense that I choose to survive & therefore ensure that I have the basic necessities of life. Though I certainly don't limit myself to just the needs. I take care of some wants too!

I don't live to eat! If I did I'd probably be 300 lbs! It's not that I don't enjoy good foods. But they're not the crux of my existence. I love art & music too! I'm a sensual person who enjoys many aspects of life.

I think I fall somewhere in the middle between the stoic who just does what they need to & has no fun & the pleasure-seeking hedonist (epicurean was it?) who just does things for enjoyment without worrying about practicalities or responsibilities.

How does masochism fit in (stoicism? The martyr denying themselves any pleasure?) I'm not a masochist. I detest pain. I don't think I'm a sadist either. I don't enjoy inflicting pain. (Though I do take a wee bit of delight in seeing someone cruel suffer, get what they deserve....)

Well, back to work...but soon I'll go for lunch. Bon appetit! Tee hee

Answer 2

I don't think a person consciously prefers either. What they get from the experience sucks them into the severity, each time it is done. I like to drink socially, but once in a while I get drunk.( Only once this year, so I am not abusive) At first, I like the pleasure I get by releasing my stress, and relaxing, then I like the creativeness of my manner. Over time, I can become anxious, and frustrated, and if I wake-up with a hangover, I deal with the pain. Will I stop drinking, because I might get anxious or frustrated, or to the extreme, I might suffer that once in-a-while hangover? Nope, why? Because, I was able to have pleasure in the evening, and release the stress which helps me, well after, and for days to come. So I think I would like the pleasure, and if there is pain, then I will live with this as well.

Answer 3

I eat to live, mostly. I think I used to be a little inclined in the opposite direction.

Recently, I became aware of some food sensitivities that were affecting me, and I really was not feeling well. When I avoid these foods, I feel so much better, that it is really worth the extra time, effort, expense, and major inconvenience.

All that to say, that I prefer the pleasure of feeling good, to the pleasure of eating whatever tastes good. I do, however, try to make the food tasty, as well.

Does that answer the question???

Answer 4

There is a third statement , that would fit people like me. That is .....I live. I eat. The creator has not given a choice to you in this regard. Just for argument you can make sweeping statements. Like breathing, like heartbeat hunger is a physically programmed acitivity and it will go on without your choice being excecised. For argument sake you can say ..."What if I don`t eat?' . I can ask you what if you don`t breathe? can you be?

Similarly, Living. You have no choice but to live..

friend , the choice s are only: How well can I live? And how well can I eat?

I hope I have not added to the confusion.

Answer 5

I eat to live.

Eating is necessary, but that doesn't me you have to hate it....
I love to eat, it's something i say often. On the other hand, the choices you make while doing so is what decide rather or not you're eating habits and what you are eating is healthy.
That is what I think Americans as a whole should know.
...everything has it's place
(my stomach! :P)

Answer 6

I am more into the mood of "Eat to Live". I prefer the pleasure although, I am conscious that some pain in you way, lets you appreciate the best in life.

Good luck!

Answer 7

This is most interesting because another friend and I were talking about this yesterday...He asked me if I had dinner yet and it was already after 7:30ish........I forget to slow down and eat....

When I go all day teaching and then to my pm classes I forget...

Answer 8

I really do both. I love eating out at different places & If I didn't eat I wouldn't live. so they kinda go hand in hand.

Answer 9

"I eat to live."
Life is already as complicated as it is. Why make it worse by pondering over the most unimportant issues?

Answer 10

i eat to live.but that doesn't mean i lik pain.i eat enough food;but i just believe there r far more important things in life than eating!