Plain
Epictetus — The Slave

But his true parents — the gods — and his real country, he would never abandon. He wouldn't let anyone outdo him in obeying them and following their commands. No one would die for his country more willingly than he would. He never stopped to ask when people would consider him to have done something for the good of the universe. He remembered that everything that happens comes from the gods and serves that higher country, commanded by the one who rules it all. So look at what Diogenes himself says and writes:

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Doing The Right Thing What Matters Most
Epictetus — The Slave Original

His true parents indeed, the gods, and his real country he would never have deserted, nor would he have yielded to any man in obedience to them and to their orders, nor would any man have died for his country more readily. For he was not used to inquire when he should be considered to have done anything on behalf of the whole of things (the universe, or all the world), but he remembered that everything which is done comes from thence and is done on behalf of that country and is commanded by him who administers it. Therefore see what Diogenes himself says and writes:

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Epictetus — The Slave

Diogenes kept everything loose. Nothing really stuck to him. If you grabbed his stuff, he'd rather let you have it than chase after you. If you grabbed his leg, he'd let go of his leg. If you grabbed his whole body, his whole body. Same with his close friends, his buddies, his country. He knew where all these things came from, who gave them to him, and what the deal was.

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Freedom & Control What Matters Most
Epictetus — The Slave Original

He had everything easily loosed, everything only hanging to him. If you laid hold of his property, he would have rather let it go and be yours, than he would have followed you for it; if you had laid hold of his leg, he would have let go his leg; if of all his body, all his poor body; his intimates, friends, country, just the same. For he knew from whence he had them, and from whom, and on what conditions.

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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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