Stoicism - College of Stoic Philosophers

l8cSTOICISM.CHAPTER XII.EPICTETUS, OR STOICISM IN THE COTTAGE.In quitting Seneca for Epictetus we pass from oneextreme of social standing to another :instead of thenoble Roman, sometime favourite of the world offashion, we enter the cell of a poor slave who hadnothing to attract attention but his homely wisdomand uncompromising steadiness of moral purpose. Ofhis personal history little has been told us. A Phrygianby birth, he was in early life a slave of Epaphroditus,who was himself a freedman high in the goodgraces of the Emperor Nero. We are told that themaster of Epictetus broke his slave's leg in wanton"frolic, at which he only said, I told you, master, youwould break it." But the story is not confirmed byother writers, and it is more likely that he was lameand feeble from his birth. He had little kindness toexpect indeed from one whose character would leadhim to oppress the weak and truckle to the strong.Thus he tells us"in one place, Epaphroditus had ashoemaker whom he sold because he was good fornothing. This fellow by some good luck was boughtby one of Caesar's men, and became Cassar's shoemaker.You should have seen what respect Epaphrodituspaid to him. 'How does the good Felicion do,