Discourses - Book III   

for he was not even king of himself; but Hercules was ruler and leader
of the whole earth and sea, who purged away lawlessness, and
introduced justice and holiness; and he did these things both naked
and alone. And when Ulysses was cast out shipwrecked, did want
humiliate him, did it break his spirit? but how did he go off to the
virgins to ask for necessaries, to beg which is considered most
shameful?

As a lion bred in the mountains trusting in his strength.

Relying on what? Not on reputation nor on wealth nor on the power of
a magistrate, but on his own strength, that is, on his opinions
about the things which are in our power and those which, are not.
For these are the only things which make men free, which make them
escape from hindrance, which raise the head of those who are
depressed, which make them look with steady eyes on the rich and on
tyrants. And this was the gift given to the philosopher. But you
will not come forth bold, but trembling about your trifling garments
and silver vessels. Unhappy man, have you thus wasted your time till
now?
"What, then, if I shall be sick?" You will be sick in such a way
as you ought to be. "Who will take care of me?" God; your friends.
"I shall lie down on a hard bed." But you will lie down like a man. "I
shall not have a convenient chamber." You will be sick in an
inconvenient chamber. "Who will provide for me the necessary food?"
Those who provide for others also. You will be sick like Manes. "And
what, also, will be the end of the sickness? Any other than death?" Do
you then consider that this the chief of all evils to man and the
chief mark of mean spirit and of cowardice is not death, but rather
the fear of death? Against this fear then I advise you to exercise
yourself: to this let all your reasoning tend, your exercises, and
reading; and you will know that thus only are men made free.