LET his thirst be quenched and nature is satisfied, no matter whence it comes, or whether he drinks in a golden or a silver goblet, or in the hollow of his hand.

SENECA, Poverty a Blessing, 60 A.D.

We have sene men and women of great age, and stronge of body, whyche never, or very seldome, dranke other drynke than pure water.... Undoubtedly water hathe preemynence above all other lycoures.

SIR THOMAS ELYOT,
The Castel of Helthe, 1534

We have Drinkes brewed with severall Herbs; whereas some of the Drinkes are such, as they are in effect Meat and Drinke both: So that diverse, especially in Age, doe desire to live with them, with little or no Meat, or Bread.

FRANCIS BACON,
New Atlantis, 1635

Water agrees at all Times, with any Age and Constitution. It is a Liquor we little esteem, because 'tis very common; but if we were to consider the great Benefits produc'd by it, we should value it more than an infinite Number of Things who tho' very rare and precious, are not for their Usefulness to be compar'd with it.

DR. M.L. LEMERY,
A Treatise of All Sorts of Foods, 1745

Drinking with any other intent than to give a keener relish to the enjoyment of food is a most swinish and demoralizing practice, inasmuch as it confounds the intellect, inflames the passions, and renders the legs, which may be likened to the understandings of mankind, incapable of supporting the superincumbent weight of the man or of proceeding in an upright and straightforward course of life.

PRUDENCE SMITH,
Modern American Cookery, 1831

There is no direction in which a woman more needs both scientific knowledge and moral force than in using her influence to control her family in regard to stimulating beverages.

CATHERINE E. BEECHER,
The New Housekeeper's Manual, 1874

I drank at every vine. The last was like the first. I came upon no wine so wonderful as thirst.

EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY,
The Harp Weaver, 1923