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/371

RV 319 (Chap. 1.) comes off unhurt. Nor do you call a Dog happy, which neither hunts nor toils; but when you see him sweating, and in pain, and panting, with the Chace. In what do we talk Paradoxes? If we say, that the Evil of every thing consists in what is contrary to its Nature, is this a Paradox? Do not you say it with regard to all other Things? Why therefore, in the Case of Man alone, do you take a different Turn? But farther: it is no Paradox to say, that by Nature Man is gentle, and social, and faithful."This is none neither."How then [is it a Paradox to say,] that, when he is whipped, or imprisoned, or beheaded, he is not hurt? If he suffers nobly, doth not he come off even the better, and a Gainer? But he is the Person hurt, who suffers the most miserable and shameful Evils: who, instead of a Man, becomes a Wolf, or Viper, or a Hornet.

§. 14. Come then let us recapitulate what hath been granted. The Man who is unrestrained, who hath all Things in his Power as he wills, is free: but he who may be restrained, or compelled, or hindered, or thrown into any Condition against his Will, is a Slave."And who is unrestrained?"He that desires none of those Thing, that belong to others."And what are those Things, which belong to others?"Those which are not in our own Power, either to have, or not to have; or to have them of such a Sort, or in such a State. Body, therefore, belongs to another; its Parts, to another; Possessions, to another. If then you attach yourself to any of these as your own, you will be punished, as he deserves, who desires what belongs to others. This is the Way, that leads to Free- dom;