Freedom is the right to live as we wish.

Opening Scene
The room is filled with the soft glow of the lamp, its warm light casting gentle shadows across the walls. Jack and Jeeny sit together at the kitchen table, their mugs of tea steaming gently between them. The quiet of the evening surrounds them, creating a peaceful atmosphere that invites deeper reflection. Outside, the world continues, but inside, the conversation feels still, almost deliberate.

Host: The air feels calm, yet there’s a sense of anticipation, as though the words about to be shared hold something significant. Jeeny looks at Jack, a thoughtful expression on her face, before she speaks, her voice gentle but full of meaning.

Jeeny: (softly, her voice reflective) “I came across a quote by Epictetus that really resonated with me. He said, ‘Freedom is the right to live as we wish.’ It’s such a simple yet powerful idea, don’t you think? The idea that true freedom is not just about choice, but about living authentically, living according to our own desires and values.”

Jack: (nodding slowly, his voice calm) “It really is. We often talk about freedom in terms of external factors — the right to speak freely, to vote, to live without oppression. But what Epictetus is saying goes deeper than that. He’s talking about the internal freedom we have to shape our lives, to live in a way that aligns with our values and our truth. True freedom comes from being able to live authentically, not just following the rules set by others.”

Jeeny: (smiling softly, her voice gentle) “Exactly. It’s about self-determination, the ability to make choices that reflect who we are, what we value, and how we want to contribute to the world. Living freely is not about doing whatever we want without consequence, but about having the agency to shape our own path, to make decisions that are true to ourselves. And that kind of freedom is about being at peace with who we are.”

Host: The quiet in the room deepens, as if the weight of their words has settled into something more profound. The flickering light of the candle adds to the atmosphere, casting soft shadows across their faces. Jack takes a slow sip of his tea, his mind clearly processing the depth of what Epictetus has shared. Jeeny watches him, sensing the realization unfolding.

Jack: (his voice thoughtful, almost contemplative) “It’s humbling, isn’t it? To think that freedom isn’t just about external liberty — it’s about internal freedom, too. The ability to live as we wish, to make decisions that reflect who we truly are. So often, we’re caught up in following external expectations, whether it’s societal norms or the pressure from others. But Epictetus is saying that true freedom comes when we step outside of that and choose to live on our own terms.”

Jeeny: (nodding, her voice reassuring) “Yes, exactly. We often find ourselves being influenced by what others expect from us, or by what society deems as ‘acceptable.’ But freedom means living according to our own values, not being bound by the expectations placed on us. It’s about the courage to make choices that align with who we are, regardless of how others may perceive them.”

Host: The warmth in the room seems to grow, as though the conversation has unlocked a deeper understanding of freedom — not as an external concept, but as something deeply personal and internal. Jack and Jeeny sit together, reflecting on the fact that true freedom is the ability to be who we are, to choose our own path, and to live without being constrained by others’ expectations.

Jack: (with a small, thoughtful smile, his voice calmer) “I think what stands out to me is that freedom isn’t just about doing what we want, it’s about being true to ourselves. It’s about having the right to shape our lives, to make choices that reflect our inner values and beliefs. That’s the kind of freedom that really matters.”

Jeeny: (nodding with a smile, her voice gentle) “Exactly. It’s about knowing that the choices we make are ours, and that we have the power to shape our lives in a way that feels true to who we are. And that’s where true peace comes from — when we stop living according to what others think we should do, and start living in a way that feels authentic.”

Host: The stillness between them feels deeper now, filled with the realization that true freedom is not just about external rights, but about the internal space to live authentically. Jack and Jeeny sit in this shared understanding, knowing that the freedom to live as we wish is about being able to create a life that is in alignment with our true selves, free from external pressure and expectations.

Jack: (smiling softly, his voice reflective) “It’s about ownership of our lives, isn’t it? The ability to make decisions that reflect who we really are, not who we think we should be or who others want us to be. That’s where real freedom lies.”

Jeeny: (with a warm smile, her voice affirming) “Exactly. Freedom is the power to shape our lives, to make choices that reflect our true selves. And that is the freedom that brings peace.”

Host: The evening stretches on, but the room feels fuller now, filled with the quiet realization that freedom is not just about external liberties — it’s about the internal right to live authentically, to make choices that reflect who we truly are. Jack and Jeeny sit in the understanding that the essence of true freedom lies in the ability to live as we wish, to create lives that reflect our own values and desires. The world outside continues, but inside, they are reminded that true freedom starts from within.