There’s a vague quote that references a cold fact that people and society are only 72 hours from launching into chaos.
I’ve seen the quote referenced the following ways in my Google Searches:
Three meals away from Anarchy
Three meals away from Revolution
Three meals away from Barbarism
I found this that lists related quotes, but doesn’t directly address the above concept.
The above have been attributed to Larry Niven, Trotsky, and Plato. I’m wondering if anyone has the straight dope on the first time this concept was quoted.