Public schools in Sratford (Connecticut) have discarded their old “cutesy, feel good” motto of “Children First - Whatever It Takes” and adopted words straight out of the Stoic philosopher’s mouth, reports Fred Musante via the Stratford Star. The new motto Tantum eruditi sunt liberi or Only the educated are free is what public school children in the area will be striving towards now.

Epictetus lived as a slave in Rome, but studied philosophy under Stoic philosopher Musonius Rufus. When he was freed and when the philosophers were banished from Rome he travelled right here to Nikopolis in Epirus, Greece to teach. His student, Arrian, the Greek historian and philosoher who also wrote about Alexander the Great, recorded what Epictetus taught and hence the existence of The Enchiridion (The Manual) and The Discourses, which Tom Wolfe made full use of for his poor character Conrad in the novel A Man In Full.