Learn how great the virtue is, my friends, of plain living …

When exercise has made you less fastidious, hungry,

Thirsty, then spurn plain food, refuse to drink the mead …

Well, bread and salt will soothe a rumbling belly.

Why so? The greatest pleasure’s not in costly flavours,

it resides In you yourself.

Gourmet eating is ridiculous.

It’s a belly seldom hungry that scorns common fare.

Now learn the benefits that accompany plain living.

First good health …

But the plain-living man who eats then snatches a nap

Quick as a flash, rises refreshed for his appointed tasks.

In times Of uncertainty who’s more confident?

The man Who’s accustomed a fastidious mind and body

To excess, or the man content with little, wary

Of what’s to come, who wisely in peace prepared for war?

Book II, Satire II