proverb · Words worth keeping
He who eats alone is Satan’s brother.
He who eats alone is Satan’s brother.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
Someone eating alone called Satan’s brother uses a religious insult to elevate shared meals over solitude. The saying condemns nonsharing through a hostile figure.
What the words are saying
A critical interpretation does not endorse the insult or assume that eating alone is selfish. Circumstances, access and personal preference differ. A useful application might value welcome hospitality without requiring company, compulsory sharing or a particular religious belief.
Everyday example
Someone offers an inclusive meal invitation and respects another person’s choice to eat privately.
When to use it
Use it critically to discuss welcome sharing without condemning solitude.
What it does not mean
No moral inferiority from eating alone or supernatural relationship is established.
Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Historical period not yet established
No sufficiently supported historical placement has been established. Import and download dates are not treated as composition dates. - Recorded source
- Contributor-provided wisdom reference (2014 AD)
Supplied reference B; unit 526; PDF page 49; collection label: Persia/Iran
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.
- Culture
- Persia/Iran