Food is for Alleviating Hunger
 
Liu Nanyuan was the director of the Ministry of Public Works in the Jiajing Era (1522 – 1566 AD) of the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644 AD). By the time he retired and returned to his hometown, a provincial official in charge of the area was quite demanding when it came to food. The county officials were quite intimidated. Liu Nanhuan told them, "He was once my student. I should offer him some advice."
 
One morning, the provincial official came to Liu's home for a visit and Liu told him, "I'd prefer to set up a banquet for you. However, it may take too much of your time and interfere with your official business. So, let me treat you to a meal. My wife is out of town, and we don't have anyone to prepare anything special. How about a simple meal?" The official could not decline the invitation since it was from his teacher.
 
It was past noon time, and the meal still had not been served. The official was getting very hungry. When the first dish was finally brought to the table, it was only comprised of rice and a bowl of tofu. Liu and the official each had three bowls of rice, and the official felt quite full. Shortly after, gourmet food and exquisite wine were brought to them, and it took up the entire table. The official was too full to have more food. Liu Nanyuan insisted on him trying more. The official had to say, "I'm really full. That is all I can eat." Liu smiled at him and said, "You see, it doesn't matter too much whether food is rich or simple. When you are hungry, it's easy to take in food. When you're full, it doesn't entice you as much. The difference is all in the timing."
 
The purpose of food is to fill one's stomach and alleviate hunger. Only extravagant people who lack virtue would overly demand delicious food. The provincial official learned a lesson from his teacher and never placed unreasonable demands regarding food on others again.
 

饮食为果腹
 
刘南垣是明朝嘉靖年间的工部尚书，后来告老还乡。当时有位直指使（官名），经常在饮食方面苛责下属，郡县都非常害怕。刘南垣说：「这是我门下的学生，我应当开导他。」
 
等到这位直指使来了，刘南垣招待他，对他说：「老夫想设席宴请，恐怕妨碍了公务，特地留你吃一顿饭，可是我妻子到别处去了，没人做饭，家常便饭能同我一起吃吗？」因为这是老师的命令，直指使哪里敢推辞。
 
可从早上直到过了中午，饭还没有端出来，直指使已经饥饿难耐了。等到饭端上来，只有米饭和一碗豆腐而已。各吃了三碗，直指使觉得吃的过于饱了。不一会儿，佳肴美酒又上来了，罗列满席，直指使已经再也吃不下去了，刘南垣非要他吃，直指使说：「我已经太饱了，不能再吃了。」刘南垣笑着对他说：「由此可见饮食原来是没有精粗之分，饿的时候容易吃饭，饱的时候难以吃东西，是时势所导致成这样罢了。」
 
饮食的目地就是果腹，只要能填饱肚子即可。只有奢靡浪费的无德之人才会过份的苛求和执著美味。这位直指使遵从了老师的教诲，从此再也没有在饮食方面苛责他人。