A full man loathes honey, but a hungry man finds even bitter food sweet.
Two appetites are contrasted in Proverbs 27:7, which shows how appetite changes the taste of everything: A sated man loathes honey, but to a famished man any bitter thing is sweet (v. 7).
A sated man loathes honey. The man whose stomach is full no longer responds to even the sweetest food. What was a delicacy becomes nauseating because there is no room for it.
To a famished man any bitter thing is sweet. The hungry man, by contrast, finds even unpleasant food welcome. Hunger transforms his perception of taste. The verse names a real principle that extends beyond food. The same kindness lavished on someone who has plenty produces little response. The same kindness given to someone in need is treasured for years. The wise man calibrates his giving to match the recipient's actual condition.
Set to dark mode
Proverbs 27:7 meaning
Two appetites are contrasted in Proverbs 27:7, which shows how appetite changes the taste of everything: A sated man loathes honey, but to a famished man any bitter thing is sweet (v. 7).
A sated man loathes honey. The man whose stomach is full no longer responds to even the sweetest food. What was a delicacy becomes nauseating because there is no room for it.
To a famished man any bitter thing is sweet. The hungry man, by contrast, finds even unpleasant food welcome. Hunger transforms his perception of taste. The verse names a real principle that extends beyond food. The same kindness lavished on someone who has plenty produces little response. The same kindness given to someone in need is treasured for years. The wise man calibrates his giving to match the recipient's actual condition.