"Statistics show that of those who contract the habit of eating, very few survive"

George Bernard Shaw’s witty remark about eating and survival exemplifies his penchant for satirical commentary on human nature and society. By framing eating as a "habit", Shaw employs playful irony to equate a fundamental necessity with the concept of harmful addiction. He juxtaposes the ordinary act of eating, vital to human existence, with the language typically reserved for detrimental behaviors. In doing so, he draws attention to the inevitability of mortality that accompanies the simplest human needs.

The phrase "statistics show" adds another layer of dry humor, echoing the authoritative tone of scientific reports, but subverting expectations by linking it to an absurd conclusion. It mocks the sometimes unquestioning reliance on statistics and supposed scientific rigor to support claims that are, in reality, self-evident or nonsensical. Shaw implies that all who eat eventually die, making survival among eaters statistically insignificant in the long run, not because eating itself is lethal, but because it is inescapably tied to life and its ultimate conclusion: death.

Through his absurd logic, Shaw encourages readers to reflect on the paradoxes of existence. The pursuit of survival, rooted in the act of eating, paradoxically yields no long-term survivors; mortality remains the universal constant. This perspective pokes gentle fun at humanity’s attempts to control or prolong life through mundane routines and suggests an acceptance of life’s inescapable end. His words also serve as a subtle critique of the way society seeks meaning or security in routine behaviors, overlooking the broader existential truths.

Ultimately, Shaw’s quip is less about food than about the human condition, the futility of resisting the natural order, and the absurdities that arise from taking life’s conventions and statistics too seriously. His humor nudges us to approach our own routines, and our shared fate, with humility, awareness, and, above all, laughter.