Plain
Epictetus — The Slave

What do you mean? When you want your body to be whole and healthy, is that up to you or not? It's not up to me. When you want it to be healthy? That's not up to me either. When you want it to be attractive? That's not up to me. Life or death? That's not up to me either. Your body belongs to someone else, then — to anyone stronger than you. That's right. But your property — can you have it when you want, for as long as you want, exactly how you want it? No. What about your slaves? No. Your clothes? No. Your house? No. Your horses? None of these things. And if you desperately want your children to live, or your wife, or your brother, or your friends — is that up to you? That's not up to me either.

Discourses, About Freedom 310 of 388
Freedom & Control Facing Hardship
Epictetus — The Slave Original

What do you mean? When you wish the body to be entire (sound) is it in your power or not? It is not in my power. When you wish it to be healthy? Neither is this in my power. When you wish it to be handsome? Nor is this. Life or death? Neither is this in my power. Your body then is another's, subject to every man who is stronger than yourself. It is. But your estate is it in your power to have it when you please, and as long as you please, and such as you please? No. And your slaves? No. And your clothes? No. And your house? No. And your horses? Not one of these things. And if you wish by all means your children to live, or your wife, or your brother, or your friends, is it in your power? This also is not in my power.

Discourses, About Freedom 310 of 388
Epictetus — The Slave

What makes someone truly free and in control of themselves? Money doesn't do it. Neither does being a consul, governing a province, or having royal power. There must be something else. What makes us free and unhindered when we write? Knowing how to write. What about playing the lute? Knowing how to play the lute. So in life, it's knowing how to live. You've heard the general idea. Now let's look at the details. Can someone who wants things that depend on other people be free from obstacles? No. Can they be unhindered? No. So they can't be free. Think about this: Do we have nothing that's entirely our own? Do we have everything? Or do we have some things that are ours and some that belong to others?

Discourses, About Freedom 309 of 388
Freedom & Control Knowing Yourself
Epictetus — The Slave Original

What then is that which makes a man free from hindrance and makes him his own master? For wealth does not do it, nor consulship, nor provincial government, nor royal power; but something else must be discovered. What then is that which when we write makes us free from hindrance and unimpeded? The knowledge of the art of writing. What then is it in playing the lute? The science of playing the lute. Therefore in life also it is the science of life. You have then heard in a general way; but examine the thing also in the several parts. Is it possible that he who desires any of the things which depend on others can be free from hindrance? No. Is it possible for him to be unimpeded? No. Therefore he cannot be free. Consider then, whether we have nothing which is in our own power only, or whether we have all things, or whether some things are in our own power, and others in the power of others.

Discourses, About Freedom 309 of 388
‹ Previous Next ›

Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

About · Support