Honest bread is very well, it's butter that makes the temptation

Honest bread is very well, it's butter that makes the temptation

Douglas Jerrold, a renowned English playwright and humorist, once famously said, "Honest bread is very well, it's butter that makes the temptation." This witty and insightful quote speaks to the idea that while simple, honest work may sustain us, it is the added luxuries and indulgences in life that truly tempt and entice us.

In the context of Jerrold's own life and work, this quote can be interpreted in a variety of ways. Jerrold was known for his sharp wit and satirical commentary on society, often using humor to shed light on the hypocrisy and absurdity of human behavior. In this sense, "honest bread" could be seen as a metaphor for the basic necessities of life – the things we need to survive and get by. Jerrold may have been suggesting that while these basic needs are important, it is the "butter" – the extra, indulgent pleasures in life – that truly tempt us and make life more enjoyable.

Jerrold's quote can also be seen as a commentary on human nature and the constant struggle between our desires and our sense of morality. The idea of "temptation" suggests that there is something alluring and seductive about indulging in luxuries and excess, even if it goes against our better judgment. Jerrold may have been pointing out that while we may strive to live honestly and virtuously, it is often the allure of temptation that leads us astray.