Herbs here is used in the archaic sense of ‘plants of which the leaves are used as food’, and a stalled ox is one that is fattened in a stall for slaughter. With allusion to Proverbs xv. 17 (Geneva (1560) translation, which is closely followed by AV) Better is a dinner of green herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
When you think of that amorous and herbivorous parish of Covent Garden, and compare it with my agricultural benefice, you will say, ‘Better is the dinner of herbs where love is, than the stalled ox,’ etc. etc.
[1817 S. Smith Letter 13 Mar. in S. Holland Memoir (1855) II. 138]
The ox had finished the vase-flowers‥and appeared to be thinking of leaving its rather restricted quarters. ‥I forget how the proverb runs. ‥Something about ‘better a dinner of herbs than a stalled ox where hate is’.
[1914 ‘Saki’ Beasts & Super-Beasts 227]
Lunch was a silent affair. ‥I said, ‘“Better a dinner of herbs than a stalled ox where hate is.”’
[1979 J. Drummond I saw Him Die viii.]
Related to: content and discontent; food and drink; malice
Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.
