This is the fourth book of Discourses of Epictetus in plain English. Personal freedom is close to Epictetus’ heart and his rhetoric shines when he talks about freedom. This is what he has to say about achieving personal freedom that is robust and unshakable:

Your desires imprison you. If you confine your desire only to what is under your control, then you will never be unfree. Freedom has a price. If you want to be free, be prepared to pay. The more value you attach to external things, the less free you are to choose.

But what does a free person look like?

A free person is not in conflict with anyone. A free person is patient. A free person is not envious. A free person is not anxious. A free person is pure. A free person is steadfast. A free person chooses what to reveal about themselves and when.