The Golden Sayings of Epictetus XL

XL

Epaphroditus(5) had a shoemaker whom he sold as being good-for-nothing. This fellow, by some accident, was afterwards purchased by one of Caesar’s men, and became shoemaker to Caesar. You should have seen what respect Epaphroditus paid him then. “How does the good Felicion? Kindly let me know!” And if any of us inquired, “What is Epaphroditus doing?” the answer was, "He is consulting about so and so with Felicion."— Had he not sold him as good-for-nothing? Who had in a trice converted him into a wiseacre?

This is what comes of holding of importance anything but the things that depend on the Will.

(5) A freedman of Nero, and at one time owner of Epictetus.