Discourses, About Freedom — In Plain English

Epictetus — The Slave

Now answer me this: doesn't freedom seem great and noble and valuable to you? Of course it does. So is it possible for someone who has something so great and valuable to act like a coward? No way. When you see someone bowing down to another person or flattering them against their own beliefs, you can be sure that person is not free. This applies whether they're doing it for a free meal or for a government position or high office. Call the people who do this for small rewards "little slaves." Call the people who do it for big rewards "great slaves" — because that's what they deserve to be called. You'll agree with this. Do you think freedom means being independent and self-governing? Absolutely. So anyone who can be stopped or forced by another person — declare that person is not free.

Epictetus — The Slave Original

Further, then, answer me this question, also: does freedom seem to you to be something great and noble and valuable? How should it not seem so? Is it possible then when a man obtains anything so great and valuable and noble to be mean? It is not possible. When then you see any man subject to another or flattering him contrary to his own opinion, confidently affirm that this man also is not free; and not only if he do this for a bit of supper, but also if he does it for a government (province) or a consulship; and call these men little slaves who for the sake of little matters do these things, and those who do so for the sake of great things call great slaves, as they deserve to be. This is admitted also. Do you think that freedom is a thing independent and self-governing? Certainly. Whomsoever then it is in the power of another to hinder and compel, declare that he is not free.