Part 7

XIV.

The near Quantity and Quality being found out, it is safest to be kept to.

XV.

Excess in all other things whatever, as well as in Meat and drink, are to be avoided; excessive Heats and Colds, violent Exercises, late Hours, and Women, unwholsome Air, violent Winds, the Passions, &c.

XVI.

Youth, Age, and Sick require a different Quantity.

XVII.

And so do those of different Complexions, for that which is too much for a Phlegmatick Man, is not sufficient for the Cholerick.

XVIII.

The Measure of the Food ought to be proportionable to the Quality and Condition of the Stomach, because the Stomach is to digest it.

XIX.

The Quantity that is sufficient, the Stomach can perfectly concoct, and answers to the due Nourishment of the Body.

XX.

Hence it appears we may eat a greater Quantity of some Viands than of others of a more hard Digestion.

XXI.

The Difficulty lies in finding out an exact Measure; but eat for Necessity not Pleasure; for Lust knows not where Necessity ends.

XXII.

Wouldst thou enjoy a long Life, a healthy Body, and a vigorous Mind, and be acquainted also with the wonderful Works of God, labour in the first Place to bring thy Appetite to Reason.

XXIII.

Beware of Variety of Meats, and such as are curiously and daintily drest, which destroy a multitude of People; they prolong Appetite four times beyond what Nature requires, and different Meats are of different Natures, some are sooner digested than others, whence Crudities proceed, and the whole Digestion depraved.

XXIV.

Keep out of the Sight of Feasts and Banquets as much as may be, for it is more difficult to retain good Cheer, when in Presence, than from the Desire of it when it is away; the like you may observe in all the other Senses.

XXV.

Fancy that Gluttony is not good and pleasant, but filthy, evil, and detestable; as it really is.

XXVI.

The richest Food, when concocted, yields the most noisom Smells; and he that works and fares hard, hath a sweeter and pleasanter Body than the other.

XXVII.

Winter requires somewhat a larger Quantity than Summer; hot and dry Meats agree best with Winter, cold and moist with Summer; in Summer abate a little of your Meat and add to your Drink, and in Winter substract from your Drink and add to your Meat.