Born into slavery, Epictetus never owned property, never sought riches — and yet he was called wealthy in wisdom. When a wealthy Roman once asked him how to be happier, Epictetus replied that the answer wasn't to get more, but to want less. He taught that detachment from desire is the key to freedom. In a society that worshipped opulence, Epictetus lived in a modest hut and walked barefoot — yet emperors came to study his teachings. He redefined what it meant to be rich, not through gold, but through inner peace.