He wrote about the perfect political
state or republic and considered what
would be the way of life for its mem
bers. As Will Durant quotes:
"They will feed on barley and
wheat, baking the wheat and knead
ing the flour, making noble puddings
and loaves; these they will serve
upon a mat of reed or clean leaves,
themselves reclining the while upon
beds of yew or myrtle boughs. And
they and their children will feast,
drinking of the wine which they have
made, wearing garlands on their
heads, and have the pnfising of the
gods on their lips, living in sweet
society, and having a care for their
families ... Os course they ’ will
have a relish —salt and olives, and
cheese, and onion and cabbages or
other country herbs which are fit for
boiling; and we shall give them a
dessert of figs and pulse and beans
of myrtle berries, and beechnuts,
which they will roast at the fire,
drinking in moderation. And with
such a diet they may be expected to
live in peace to a good old age and
bequeath a similar life to their chil
dren after them."
Now this was a very good food
program. There was pleasant com
panionship and gayety. Were they
not to wear garlands on their heads?
We may be sure the barley and
wheat loaves were made from the
whole grains. This furnished protein
for body building, and so did the
cheese and beechnuts and the beans.
