Epictetus, who was born into slavery, understood that true freedom comes through education and self-development rather than external circumstances. Education here means not just formal learning but the cultivation of reason, wisdom, and self-knowledge that allows us to make good choices and avoid being enslaved by our emotions, impulses, or ignorance. The uneducated person is at the mercy of their circumstances, reactions, and limitations, while the educated person has developed the internal resources to respond thoughtfully and maintain their dignity regardless of external conditions. This kind of education creates a freedom that cannot be taken away by tyrants, poverty, or misfortune.