“A thing is wisest when it is most fully itself, when it tastes most like itself, in keeping with its nature. It is “foolish” when it forgets to be what it is, when it no longer has its proper flavor, as when salt loses its strength, or when oil becomes rancid, or when wine turns to vinegar. Salt is one of those primary realities that can contribute to enhancing the quality of other things but that is itself hopeless once it goes bad: as in the case of water and fire, what can substitute for salt? What shall fire itself be kindled with? What can wash and quench thirst like water? If “wise salt” communicates a bit of the power and eternity of the sea, “foolish salt” has forgotten it’s origins, can no longer make man’s taste buds rejoice, can no longer heighten flavor. It can no longer be destined for man’s mouth but only for trampling by his feet.”
Erasmo Leiva-Merikakis
what a wonderful meditation on salt!