Discourses, About Freedom — In Plain English

Epictetus — The Slave

Think about these ideas, these beliefs, these words. Look at these examples if you want to be free — if you really value freedom. Is it surprising that something so valuable costs so much? For what people call liberty, some kill themselves. Others jump off cliffs. Sometimes entire cities are destroyed. So why won't you give back to God what he gave you when he asks for it? Why won't you work toward true, unshakeable, secure freedom? Plato says you should learn not just how to die, but how to endure torture, exile, and beatings. In short, learn to give up everything that isn't really yours. If you won't do this, you'll be a slave among slaves. You could be consul ten thousand times over. You could make it all the way to Caesar's palace. You'll still be a slave. And you'll realize that philosophers might say things that sound strange to most people — as Cleanthes pointed out — but they don't say things that go against reason.

Epictetus — The Slave Original

Think of these things, these opinions, these words; look to these examples, if you would be free, if you desire the thing according to its worth. And what is the wonder if you buy so great a thing at the price of things so many and so great? For the sake of this which is called liberty, some hang themselves, others throw themselves down precipices, and sometimes even whole cities have perished; and will you not for the sake of the true and unassailable and secure liberty give back to God when he demands them the things which he has given? Will you not, as Plato says, study not to die only, but also to endure torture, and exile, and scourging, and, in a word, to give up all which is not your own? If you will not, you will be a slave among slaves, even if you be ten thousand times a consul; and if you make your way up to the palace (Cæsar's residence), you will no less be a slave; and you will feel that perhaps philosophers utter words which are contrary to common opinion (paradoxes), as Cleanthes also said, but not words contrary to reason.