Select the most appropriate segment to substitute the underlined words in the given sentence.
He always used to say that he was not a beggar by choice and if someone could employ him, he would like to eat.

The correct option is love to work.

Explanation:
In the given sentence, the subject states that he is not a beggar by choice and expresses a desire for employment. Therefore, the phrase substituting "like to eat" must logically express his willingness to engage in work and earn a living if someone offers him a job.

Let's evaluate the given options:

1. love to work: This fits the context perfectly by showing eagerness and willingness to work when given employment, contrasting directly with begging.
2. listen to me: Contextually irrelevant to employment and earning a living.
3. linger at work: "Linger" means to stay longer than necessary or loiter, which carries a different meaning and is inappropriate here.
4. live to work: "Live to work" is an idiomatic expression meaning that work is the sole purpose of one's existence, which does not fit this context.

Hence, love to work is the most appropriate substitution for the underlined phrase.