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?
The Autarkist 