An American monkey, after getting drunk on brandy, would never touch it again, and thus is much wiser than most men

An American monkey, after getting drunk on brandy, would never touch it again, and thus is much wiser than most men

Charles Darwin, the renowned naturalist and father of the theory of evolution, once made a profound observation about the behavior of American monkeys in relation to alcohol consumption. He famously stated, "An American monkey, after getting drunk on brandy, would never touch it again, and thus is much wiser than most men." This statement sheds light on the complex relationship between animals and alcohol, as well as the potential wisdom that can be gleaned from observing their behavior.

Darwin's observation highlights the fact that animals, including monkeys, have a natural instinct for self-preservation and self-regulation when it comes to consuming substances that alter their behavior. In the case of the American monkey that Darwin observed, the experience of getting drunk on brandy was enough to deter it from indulging in alcohol again. This behavior can be seen as a form of learning from past experiences and making decisions based on those experiences, a trait that is often associated with wisdom.