Epictetus Quote

"He is free who lives as he wishes to live;
who is neither subject to compulsion nor to hindrance, nor to force;
whose movements to action are not impeded,
whose desires attain their purpose,
and who does not fall into that which he would avoid."

by:	Epictetus (ca 55-135 A.D.) Greek philospher
Source:	Discourses, ca 100 A.D.
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Categories:	Freedom, Independence, Liberty, Responsibility, Sovereignty, Wisdom
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-- Mike, Norwalk
"He is free ... who does not fall into that which he would avoid." That is the crux isn't it? Thus ultimately our freedom is dependent on our ability to NOT indenture oursleves, go into debt, or become dependent and unable to provide for ourselves. In other words, we must be vigilant against our own desires and delusions.  -- E Archer, NYC      1
Epictetus-my favorite Stoic. The Stoics recognized that the worst slavery is to one's own appetites. If we can control our own desires, our spirit can never be enslaved even if our bodies are. "I am but a poor soul burdened with a lifeless body."  -- Ken, Allyn, WA      1
Free people do not have to perform for strangers. Free people do not fear their servants, they fire them! The distinction between free men and slaves is whether or not they are paid for their labor, The sole function of Lincoln's unconstitutional legal tender acts was/is to get labor without payment, Lincoln's contemporary, Horace Greeley said that Lincoln's system was "no less cruel than the old system of chatel slavery." Ask for: God, The Devil and Legal Tender, one page by Rushdoony. neatmail@gmail.com  -- Dave Wilber, St. Louis
Anonymous. perhaps just a few stars...  -- Robert, St. Emilion, France
-- Ronw13, Yachats Or
The definition is broad enough to include helots, serfs and slaves that rationalize their existence. By example: slaves believe they can purchase more freedom by adding to their government license list, pay tribute to conquering gods (2nd plank of the communist manifesto) or genuflect in obedience to victimless crimes.  -- Mike, Norwalk
-- jim k, Austin

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