No man is free who is not a master of himself

[gontijoloyola]

Have you ever met someone that masters himself? The possibility of self-control is a reality, no doubt. But being a master in it is something extremely rare and I suspect lucky has very much to do with this kind of success.

[Belindi]

Isn't there a future in trade and professional unions that result in labour being as powerful as management and/or experts?

No, management has completely distracted the working class into concentrating on abortion, guns, gays and aliens.

Take hope! The working class Briton has come to see that management's populism is a threadbare strategy.

[Belindi]

Have you ever met someone that masters himself? The possibility of self-control is a reality, no doubt. But being a master in it is something extremely rare and I suspect lucky has very much to do with this kind of success.

You need to edit this, please.

[LuckyR]

Isn't there a future in trade and professional unions that result in labour being as powerful as management and/or experts?

No, management has completely distracted the working class into concentrating on abortion, guns, gays and aliens.

Take hope! The working class Briton has come to see that management's populism is a threadbare strategy.

The US has no clue

[Rodney G]

When I hear this statement, I think it to be be true. But what makes it true? I think it to mean that one should dictate their own life. Live how they wish to live. To master oneself, but that primarily means to know you, to know what it is you desire and deserve. Yet many are plagued with irrational and grandiose views of themselves, that are not grounded in truth. And thats where freedom comes from... Truth. To know what is true, and take responsibility for what happens to you, but know that what happens to you isn't entirely your fault but it is your responsibility how you respond and react to it. If you got laid off due to lack of attendence or even performance, that was your responsibility. Now is it justified to yell and assault your old boss for this happening to you? No it is not. Staying true to how the world has treated you, will allow to be free in what you chose to do. How about you finding yourself a new job, one that you enjoy, pays enough for your means, and has a schedule you can work with. Make it a habit to work hard, but remember your goal, your dream. Freedom is not only being your own master, or controlling yourself, but it is staying true to yourself and the others that you share this world with.

Freedom is subjective to many, but to make it simple and objective. Live how you wish to live, and never give it up.

[Papus79]

Life has always been a struggle for survival. Epictetus was apparently born into slavery, freed, and did quite well later in life. I'd have to assume it's taken that the caveat to his statement is 'insofar as possible' - ie. some people will be treading water so fiercely for their entire lives that they indeed won't have much freedom no matter what they do inwardly. At the same time to whatever degree they can own and consciously curate their internal content doing so is still a net gain against the comparison of not doing it.