A passage from Epictetus
Epictetus, Discourses IV.1
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Freedom is not the right to live as we please, but the right to live as we ought. He is free who is not compelled by any external thing, but is governed by reason and virtue.
Related passages
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At dawn, when you have trouble getting out of bed, tell yourself: 'I have to go to work — as a human being.'
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Take care not to be Caesarified, or dyed with purple; for it does happen. Keep thyself then simple, good, pure, serious, free from affectation.
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It is a man's special privilege to love even those who wrong him.