The Wise and Ingenious Companion, French and English; / or, A Collection of the Wit of the Illustrious Persons, Both Ancient and Modern

by Abel Boyer

109

Epictetus a Slave of Epaphrodites, one of Nero’s Officers, having one Day received from him a great blow on on his Leg, told him coldly: Pray have a care you don’t break my Leg. But that cruel Man redoubled his blow with such force, that he broke his Shin-bone: Well, said then Epictetus smiling, did not I tell you you were like to break my Leg?

109

Epictete Esclave d’Epaphrodite, Officier de Neron, ayant un jour receu de lui un grand coup sur la jambe, lui dit froidement: Prenez garde, je vous prie de ne me pas casser la jambe. Mais ce cruel redoubla son coup d’une telle force qu’il lui brisa l’Os: Hé bien, lui dit alors Epictete en souriant, ne vous l’avois je pas dit que vous joüiez à me casser la jambe?