Taste every fruit of every tree in the garden at least once. It

Host: The room was filled with the soft warmth of the evening light, the last golden rays of the day stretching across the floor, painting the room in hues of orange and pink. Outside, the world had quieted, and the gentle rustle of leaves added to the peaceful atmosphere inside. Jack sat near the table, a cup of tea in hand, his fingers lightly resting on the rim, while Jeeny stood by the window, her gaze focused on the changing sky. The quote from Stephen Fry had just been shared, and it hung between them, waiting to be explored.

Jeeny: “I’ve been thinking about Stephen Fry’s words: ‘Taste every fruit of every tree in the garden at least once. It is an insult to creation not to experience it fully. Temperance is wickedness.’ It’s such an invitation to live fully, isn’t it? The idea that we should embrace every experience life offers us, without holding back, without worrying about restraint or moderation.”

Jack: “It’s kind of radical, isn’t it? The idea that temperance, that desire to hold back, to limit ourselves, is actually a form of wickedness. Fry seems to be saying that life is too short to live in moderation, that we should dive in and experience everything the world has to offer—good or bad—because to do otherwise would be an insult to the very nature of life itself.”

Jeeny: “Yes, it’s like he’s saying that life is a gift, and if we don’t experience it to the fullest, we’re wasting that gift. Every moment, every sensation, every emotion is part of the grand experience of being alive. To hold back from those experiences—whether it’s love, adventure, or even pain—is to deny ourselves the fullness of life. In a way, Fry is telling us that restriction is a betrayal of our own humanity.”

Host: The air in the room seemed to settle, the weight of their conversation sinking in slowly. Jack’s gaze moved from Jeeny to the window, as if contemplating the implications of Fry’s words. There was something bold in the idea that life, in all its chaos and complexity, should be embraced without hesitation.

Jack: “But isn’t there a line, though? I mean, living fully doesn’t mean we can throw caution to the wind all the time. There are consequences to pushing the limits, to not having any form of moderation. Temperance exists for a reason, doesn’t it? There are dangers in excess, whether it’s in food, work, or relationships.”

Jeeny: “I get that, Jack. But I think what Fry is getting at is that temperance—in the sense of always holding back or being overly cautious—keeps us from truly living. It’s one thing to exercise control when necessary, but it’s another to withhold from ourselves for fear of what might happen. If we’re always worried about the consequences, we never give ourselves the opportunity to experience the world fully. Yes, there’s risk in living fully, but there’s also reward. Sometimes the most meaningful moments come from stepping outside our comfort zone, from tasting the fruit of experiences that seem scary or risky.”

Jack: “So it’s about embracing the unpredictability of life, accepting the unknowns, and not letting fear or overthinking hold us back. We shouldn’t live in constant caution, but instead, we should live with an open heart, open to whatever comes, because every experience—whether it brings joy or hardship—shapes who we are.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. And there’s a beauty in that. The richness of life comes from experiencing it in its entirety, not just the parts that feel safe or comfortable. Fry’s saying that life is about boldness—about diving into the deep end and tasting every part of it. It’s not about recklessness, but about having the courage to say yes to the full spectrum of life’s experiences.”

Host: The stillness in the room deepened, the weight of their conversation sinking into the space between them. The world outside had darkened, and the quiet of the evening seemed to reflect the quiet understanding that was unfolding. Jack sat back, his fingers resting gently on the table, while Jeeny’s eyes remained thoughtful, as if contemplating the balance between embracing life fully and recognizing the limits that come with it.

Jack: “Maybe it’s not about abandoning all restraint, but about letting go of the fear that holds us back from fully embracing what life offers. Fry’s saying that if we live cautiously all the time, we miss out on the beauty and complexity of living. Life’s richness isn’t just in avoiding mistakes or excess—it’s in experiencing everything.”

Jeeny: “Yes, it’s about living without regret, without the ‘what ifs.’ When we experience life fully, even the messiness, we don’t just exist; we live. And that’s what Fry is encouraging us to do—not just to be cautious, but to dive into life and savor every part of it.”

Host: The conversation felt quieter now, filled with an understanding of what it means to truly live. To embrace the fullness of life, to taste every fruit that comes our way, both sweet and sour, without hesitation. Temperance may have its place, but it is through living boldly, without holding back, that we truly experience the depth and beauty of existence. The world outside had slipped fully into night, but inside, there was light—a quiet realization that to live fully is to embrace both the known and the unknown, the joys and the struggles that come with it.