Keep these thoughts always with you. Practice them when you're alone. Keep them ready to use. Then you'll never lack someone to comfort and strengthen you. It's not shameful to go without food. What's shameful is not having enough reason to keep fear and sorrow away. But once you break free from sorrow and fear, will any tyrant still have power over you? Or his guards? Or Caesar's attendants? Will missing out on court appointments hurt you? Will those who sacrifice at the Capitol when they get promoted make you jealous? You've received such great authority from Zeus. Just don't show off about it or brag. Show it through your actions. And if no one notices, be satisfied that you yourself are healthy and happy.
Having these things (or thoughts) always in hand, and exercising them by yourself, and keeping them in readiness, you will never be in want of one to comfort you and strengthen you. For it is not shameful to be without something to eat, but not to have reason sufficient for keeping away fear and sorrow. But if once you have gained exemption from sorrow and fear, will there any longer be a tyrant for you, or a tyrant's guard, or attendants on Cæsar? Or shall any appointment to offices at court cause you pain, or shall those who sacrifice in the Capitol on the occasion of being named to certain functions, cause pain to you who have received so great authority from Zeus? Only do not make a proud display of it, nor boast of it; but show it by your acts; and if no man perceives it, be satisfied that you are yourself in a healthy state and happy.