A dead cow or sheep lying in a pasture is recognized as carrion. The same sort of a carcass dressed and hung up in a butcher's stall passes as food.

The quote by John Harvey Kellogg, "A dead cow or sheep lying in a pasture is recognized as carrion. The same sort of a carcass dressed and hung up in a butcher's stall passes as food," explores the arbitrary nature of societal distinctions and values. Kellogg contrasts the way society views an animal's death in different contexts—when it's left in a pasture, it's considered unfit for consumption, but when it's prepared and displayed for sale in a butcher's stall, it is seen as a normal part of the human diet. This reflects how human perception of value and cleanliness is shaped by cultural practices and convenience rather than inherent qualities of the object itself.

The origin of this quote lies in Kellogg's perspective as a medical doctor, health advocate, and early proponent of vegetarianism. He believed in the benefits of a plant-based diet and often critiqued the consumption of animal products, particularly meat. In his time, many were skeptical of vegetarianism, so Kellogg used sharp observations like this to challenge the status quo and highlight the illogicality in how humans categorize food based on appearance and preparation rather than its inherent nature.

Kellogg’s view points to the mindset that shapes societal norms. In one setting, a dead animal is unappealing and dangerous, but in another, the same animal becomes acceptable and desirable through processing. The quote serves as a critique of how society can make arbitrary distinctions between what is considered acceptable and unacceptable based on how things are presented.

By questioning these norms, Kellogg subtly promotes a message about mindful eating and ethical practices, suggesting that the true nature of food is not based on its outward presentation but its moral and health implications. The juxtaposition in the quote forces us to reflect on how much of our everyday choices are influenced by culture and convention, rather than objective reasoning.