Series II · Card 8 of 21 · THE PAINTED PORCH
You may chain my leg, but not even Zeus can overpower my will.
EPICTETUS · DISCOURSES 1.1.23
Original (grc)
τὸ σκέλος μου δήσεις, τὴν προαίρεσιν δὲ οὐδʼ ὁ Ζεὺς νικῆσαι δύναται.Translation: Benedikt Stafflinger
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About the author
Greek Stoic philosopher (c. 50–135 AD). Born enslaved, later freed. Taught that philosophy is a way of life — not theory — and that freedom begins with what lies within one’s own power.
About the source
Discourses: Epictetus’s teaching conversations, written down by his student Arrian.
The question on the back
How much of what makes you you could someone take away?