Plain
Epictetus — The Slave

These people didn't act right when they were present at the festival. They didn't fill their proper place. Instead, they complained. They found fault with God, with fortune, with their companions. They didn't see what they had or their own powers — powers they received for the opposite purpose. Powers of courage, generosity, strength, and freedom — which is what we're discussing now.

Why did I receive these powers? To use them. How long do I get to keep them? As long as the one who lent them decides. What if I need them? Don't get attached to them and you won't need them. Don't tell yourself they're necessary, and then they won't be necessary.

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Freedom & Control What Matters Most
Epictetus — The Slave Original

panaeguris]) for they did not when they were present behave as they ought to do at a festival nor fill up their place properly, but they lamented, found fault with the deity, fortune, their companions; not seeing both what they had, and their own powers, which they received for contrary purposes, the powers of magnanimity, of a generous mind, manly spirit, and what we are now inquiring about, freedom. For what purpose then have I received these things? To use them. How long? So long as he who has lent them chooses. What if they are necessary to me? Do not attach yourself to them and they will not be necessary; do not say to yourself that they are necessary, and then they are not necessary.

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Epictetus — The Slave

What, are they yours? Don't they belong to the one who gave them to you, the one who made you? So why won't you give back what belongs to someone else? Why won't you step aside for the one who is greater than you? "But why did he bring me into the world under these conditions?" If you don't like the conditions, leave. He doesn't need spectators who complain. He wants people who join the celebration, who take part in the chorus — people who cheer and marvel and sing hymns of praise. But those who can't handle any difficulty, the cowards — he won't mind if they stay away from the great gathering.

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Facing Hardship Freedom & Control
Epictetus — The Slave Original

What, are they yours? do they not belong to the giver, and to him who made you? then will you not give up what belongs to others? will you not give way to him who is superior? Why then did he introduce me into the world on these conditions? And if the conditions do not suit you, depart. He has no need of a spectator who is not satisfied. He wants those who join in the festival, those who take part in the chorus, that they may rather applaud, admire, and celebrate with hymns the solemnity. But those who can bear no trouble, and the cowardly, he will not unwillingly see absent from the great assembly ([Greek:

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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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