We all know Anthony Bourdain as a chef, world traveler, drug addict, and helluva individual.

But what stands out to me is looking at Bourdain as a modern philosopher of sorts.

He had a tattoo that says “I suspend judgment” in Ancient Greek.

This was his specialty.

Not getting tied to a certain method of thinking.

It allowed him to travel around the world and connect with real people.

It didn’t matter if they were ex-KGB, the president of the USA, or a noodle-chef on a Vietnamese street corner, Anthony’s willingness to listen with both his ears and his heart, allowed him to truly connect.

It gave him the freedom to enjoy the beauty of the world without being bogged down in moral panic and existential dogma.

Despite the political differences and different value sets, Anthony and the people he met bonded over good food, good drink, and good conversation.

All because he suspended judgment.

In this age of internet fighting and endless arguments, i think there’s a great beauty to suspending judgment like Anthony.