We had a happy marriage because we were together all the time. We were friends as well as husband and wife. We just had a good time.
Noncooks think it's silly to invest two hours' work in two minutes' enjoyment; but if cooking is evanescent, so is the ballet.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the transient nature of both cooking and art performances, emphasizing the value in the process over the end result.
Julia Child's quote draws a parallel between cooking and the ballet, suggesting that both activities require significant investment of time and effort for experiences that are momentary. While some may perceive cooking as a trivial endeavor for a fleeting enjoyment, Child argues that the beauty and joy derived from both cooking and art should be appreciated for their intrinsic value, as the effort invested brings fulfillment beyond the immediate outcome.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a cooking class, one might quote Julia Child to emphasize the importance of enjoying the process of making food.
More from Julia Child
All quotes βThe egg can be your best friend if you just give it the right break
I always give my bird a generous butter massage before I put it in the oven. Why? Because I think the chicken likes it -- and, more important, I like to give it.
Upon reflection, I decided I had three main weaknesses: I was confused (evidenced by a lack of facts, an inability to coordinate my thoughts, and an inability to verbalize my ideas); I had a lack of confidence, which cause me to back down from forcefully stated positions; and I was overly emotional at the expense of careful, 'scientific' though. I was thirty-seven years old and still discovering who I was.
The best way to execute French cooking is to get good and loaded and whack the hell out of a chicken.
Wine is one of the agreeable and essential ingredients of life
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