Page:All the works of Epictetus - which are now extant; consisting of his Discourses, preserved by Arrian, in four books, the Enchiridion, and fragments (IA allworksofepicte00epic).pdf/356

RV 304 (Chap. 1.) §. 5. Consider, in Animals, what is our Idea of Freedom. Some keep tame Lions, and feed, and even carry them about with them: and who will say, that any such Lion is free? Nay, doth he not live the more slavishly, the more he lives at ease? And who, that had Sense and Reason, would wish to be one of those Lions? Again: How much do Birds, which are taken and kept in a Cage, suffer, by trying to fly away? Nay, some of them starve with Hunger, rather than undergo such a Life: then, as many of them as are saved, it is scarcely, and with Difficulty, and in a pining Condition; and the Moment they find any Hole, out they hop. Such a Desire have they of natural Freedom, and to be at their own Disposal, and unrestrained."And what Harm doth this Confinement do you?""What say you? I was born to fly where I please, to live in the open Air, to sing when I please. You deprive me of all this, and say, What Harm doth it do you?"

§. 6. Hence we will allow those only to be free, who do not endure Captivity; but, as soon as they are taken, die, and escape. Thus Diogenes somewhere says, That the only way to Freedom is to die with Ease. And he writes to the Persian King; "You can no more enslave the Athenians, than you can Fish.""How? What, shall not I take them?"—"If you do take them, says he, they will leave you, and be gone, like Fish. For take a Fish, and it dies. And, if the Athenians too die, as soon as you have taken them, of what Use are your warlike Preparations?"—This is the Voice of a free Man, who had examined the Matter in earnest; and, as it might be expected, found it out. But, if you seek it where it is not, what Wonder, if you never find it?

§. 7. A Slave wishes to be immediately set free. Think you it is because he is desirous to pay his Fine