WHAT is by nature free, cannot be disturbed or restrained by anything but itself. But its own principles disturb it. Thus, when the tyrant says to anyone: “I will chain your leg”: he who values his leg, cries out for pity: while he who sets the value on his own will and choice, says: “If you imagine it for your interest, chain it." — "What! do not you care?" — No; I do not care. — "I will show you that I am master." — You? How should you? God has set me free. What! do you think He would suffer His own son to be enslaved? You are master of my carcase. Take it. — “So that when you come into my presence, you pay no regard to me?” — No; but to myself.
EPICTETUS. DISCOURSES. Book i. §19. ¶2
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ReplyDeleteFirst you are enslaved by things. Then you are enslaved by people.
ReplyDeleteIf one values something that is the thing that people can use to control you. Hmmm not sure that I would want to go through life valuing nothing though. This bares thinking about and contemplating...
ReplyDeletePerhaps the important thing is that those things we value need to be under our complete control. These things we defend at any cost. I.e. our marriage, our children. These get a wall of impenetrable will built around them.
ReplyDelete