This study was performed to approach Korean food proverbs from the stance of food ethics. Both modern principles and traditional principles of food ethics were applied to select proverbs. The modern principles include a respect for life, justice, environmental preservation, and the priority of safety. The traditional principles were longevity and good health, poverty (escaping) and wealth (pursuing), eating luck and fortune, priority of food, virtue, and taste and quality (economics). All the principles except environmental preservation and the priority of safety have adequate food proverbs, since environmental disruption and food safety were not serious issues in the past.

• 김석신 | Kim, Suk-Shin