An anecdote, indeed, has been handed down to us by several writers, which would show that he was treated with atrocious cruelty.

Epaphroditus, it is said, once gratified his cruelty by twisting his slave's leg in some instrument of torture.

"If you go on, you will break it," said Epictetus.

The wretch did go on, and did break it.

"I told you that you would break it," said Epictetus quietly, not giving vent to his anguish by a single word or a single groan.
Stories of heroism no less triumphant have been authenticated both in ancient and modern times; but we may hope for the sake of human nature that this story is false, since another authority tells us that Epictetus became lame in consequence of a natural disease.