Summary
Epictetus tackles a very human tendency: running to fortune tellers, psychics, or anyone who claims they can predict the future when we're scared about what's coming. He's not saying divination is evil—he's saying we're doing it wrong. We show up trembling, desperately hoping for good news, when we should be showing up calm and prepared for whatever answer we get. Here's his key insight: the future event itself isn't what matters—it's how we respond to it. Whether you get the promotion or not, whether your relationship works out or not, whether your health scare turns out to be serious or not—none of that is inherently good or bad. What makes it good or bad is how you handle it. But there's a crucial exception to seeking outside guidance: moral decisions. If your friend needs help or your community is in danger, you don't need a psychic to tell you what's right. Your conscience already knows. Epictetus uses the example of someone who abandoned a friend in need because an oracle told them it would end badly—and how the gods themselves rejected such cowardice. The deeper message here is about the difference between practical uncertainty (Will this business venture succeed?) and moral clarity (Should I help someone in trouble?). For practical matters, sure, get advice, do research, consult experts—but don't let fear drive the process. For moral matters, you already have everything you need to make the right choice. This chapter is essentially about developing what we might call 'confident uncertainty'—being okay with not knowing what will happen while being absolutely clear on what kind of person you want to be regardless of what happens.
Coming Up in Chapter 32
Next, Epictetus shifts from handling uncertainty to something even more fundamental: deciding who you want to be. He's about to give you a framework for building your character from the ground up, starting with how you present yourself to the world.
Share it with friends
An excerpt from the original text.(complete · 296 words)
When you have recourse to divination, remember that you know not what the event will be, and you come to learn it of the diviner; but of what nature it is you knew before coming; at least, if you are of philosophic mind. For if it is among the things not within our own power, it can by no means be either good or evil. Do not, therefore, bring with you to the diviner either desire or aversion—else you will approach him trembling—but first clearly understand that every event is indifferent and nothing to _you_, of whatever sort it may be; for it will be in your power to make a right use of it, and this no one can hinder. Then come with confidence to the gods as your counselors; and afterwards, when any counsel is given you, remember what counselors you have assumed, and whose advice you will neglect if you disobey. Come to divination as Socrates prescribed, in cases of which the whole consideration relates to the event, and in which no opportunities are afforded by reason or any other art to discover the matter in view. When, therefore, it is our duty to share the danger of a friend or of our country, we ought not to consult the oracle as to whether we shall share it with them or not. For though the diviner should forewarn you that the auspices are unfavorable, this means no more than that either death or mutilation or exile is portended. But we have reason within us; and it directs us, even with these hazards, to stand by our friend and our country. Attend, therefore, to the greater diviner, the Pythian God, who once cast out of the temple him who neglected to save his friend.[5]
Master this chapter. Complete your experience
Purchase the complete book to access all chapters and support classic literature
As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Available in paperback, hardcover, and e-book formats
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Fearful Fortune-Seeking
When uncertainty creates fear, we desperately seek external predictions instead of building internal resilience.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches the crucial difference between gathering useful information and desperately seeking someone to tell us everything will be okay.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you ask others for advice—are you seeking information to make a better decision, or are you hoping they'll make your anxiety disappear?
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Divination
The practice of seeking knowledge of the future through supernatural means like reading omens, consulting oracles, or interpreting signs. In ancient Rome, this was a formal part of religion and politics, with official diviners who advised on everything from military campaigns to personal decisions.
Modern Usage:
Today we see this in psychic readings, horoscopes, tarot cards, and even obsessively checking prediction websites before making decisions.
Oracle
A person or place believed to provide divine guidance about future events, most famously the Oracle at Delphi in ancient Greece. People would travel great distances and pay significant money to get answers about their fate.
Modern Usage:
We treat financial advisors, life coaches, or even Google searches like oracles when we're desperate for certainty about uncertain situations.
Auspices
Signs or omens, particularly those interpreted from the behavior of birds, that Romans believed revealed the will of the gods. Unfavorable auspices meant the gods disapproved of a planned action.
Modern Usage:
Similar to how we look for 'signs' that we should or shouldn't do something, like taking a bad day as a sign not to have an important conversation.
Stoic indifference
The philosophical concept that external events are neither inherently good nor bad—they're neutral until we decide how to respond to them. What matters isn't what happens to you, but how you choose to handle it.
Modern Usage:
This shows up in modern therapy techniques that focus on changing your response to situations rather than trying to control the situations themselves.
Socratic method
Socrates' approach of asking questions to help people discover truth for themselves rather than just giving them answers. He believed the best insights come from within through careful thinking.
Modern Usage:
Good therapists, coaches, and mentors use this approach—asking 'What do you think you should do?' instead of just telling you what to do.
Moral duty
Actions that are right or wrong regardless of their consequences. Epictetus argues that some decisions—like helping friends or defending your community—don't require outside consultation because conscience already knows what's right.
Modern Usage:
This is why we don't need to 'think about' whether to help someone who's been in an accident—some things are just obviously the right thing to do.
Characters in This Chapter
Socrates
Philosophical mentor
Epictetus references Socrates as the model for when to seek divination—only for practical matters where reason can't provide answers, never for moral questions where we already know what's right.
Modern Equivalent:
The wise friend who asks good questions instead of just giving advice
The diviner
Fortune teller/advisor
Represents the person we turn to when we want certainty about the future. Epictetus doesn't condemn them, but warns against approaching them from a place of fear and desperation.
Modern Equivalent:
The psychic, life coach, or expert we consult when we're scared about what's coming
The cowardly friend
Cautionary example
Someone who abandoned a friend in need because a diviner told them it would end badly. Epictetus uses this as an example of how seeking external guidance can lead us to betray our values.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who ghosts you when you're going through a hard time because they don't want the drama
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Every event is indifferent and nothing to you, of whatever sort it may be; for it will be in your power to make a right use of it, and this no one can hinder."
Context: Explaining how to approach divination without fear
This is the core of Stoic philosophy—external events can't hurt you because you always have the power to choose your response. No one can take away your ability to act with dignity and wisdom.
In Today's Words:
Whatever happens, happens—what matters is how you deal with it, and that's completely up to you.
"Come to divination as Socrates prescribed, in cases of which the whole consideration relates to the event, and in which no opportunities are afforded by reason or any other art to discover the matter in view."
Context: Defining when it's appropriate to seek outside guidance
Seek advice only for practical questions that reason can't answer, not for moral questions where you already know what's right. This prevents us from using uncertainty as an excuse to avoid doing what we know we should do.
In Today's Words:
Only ask for advice about things you genuinely can't figure out yourself—don't use it as an excuse to avoid doing what you know is right.
"When it is our duty to share the danger of a friend or of our country, we ought not to consult the oracle as to whether we shall share it with them or not."
Context: Explaining when NOT to seek divination
Some decisions are moral imperatives that don't require consultation. When people we care about need help, we don't need a fortune teller to tell us what to do—our conscience already knows.
In Today's Words:
When your friend or community needs help, you don't need to ask anyone what to do—you already know you should help.
Thematic Threads
Personal Agency
In This Chapter
Distinguishing between what we can control (our response) versus what we cannot (outcomes)
Development
Builds on earlier themes of focusing on what's 'up to us'
In Your Life:
You might catch yourself asking 'What will happen?' instead of 'How will I handle it?'
Fear Management
In This Chapter
Fear drives us to seek false certainty from external sources rather than building courage
Development
Introduced here as a specific obstacle to clear thinking
In Your Life:
You might notice yourself frantically researching instead of preparing mentally for different outcomes.
Moral Clarity
In This Chapter
Some decisions don't require external consultation—conscience provides clear guidance
Development
Introduced here as distinct from practical decision-making
In Your Life:
You might realize you're seeking permission for choices you already know are right.
External Validation
In This Chapter
Seeking others to confirm what we hope is true rather than accepting reality
Development
Builds on themes of independence from others' opinions
In Your Life:
You might catch yourself shopping for the answer you want rather than the truth you need.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Epictetus says we approach fortune tellers 'trembling and already defeated.' What does he think we should focus on instead of trying to predict the future?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Epictetus make a distinction between practical decisions (like business ventures) and moral decisions (like helping a friend in trouble)?
analysis • medium - 3
Think about modern 'fortune telling' - frantically googling symptoms, asking everyone about relationship advice, endlessly researching before decisions. Where do you see this fearful information-seeking in your own life?
application • medium - 4
Epictetus suggests we should arrive at consultations 'prepared for any answer.' How would this change how you approach getting advice about something you're worried about?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter reveal about the difference between seeking certainty and building resilience? Which approach actually helps us handle whatever life throws at us?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Fortune-Seeking Patterns
Think of a current worry or decision you're facing. Write down all the ways you've been trying to get certainty about the outcome - who you've asked, what you've researched, how you've sought reassurance. Then rewrite your approach: What would change if you focused on preparing for any outcome instead of trying to predict which outcome you'll get?
Consider:
- •Notice whether this is a practical decision (where research helps) or a moral decision (where your conscience already knows)
- •Pay attention to whether fear or curiosity is driving your information-seeking
- •Consider what kind of person you want to be regardless of how this situation turns out
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you spent more energy trying to predict an outcome than preparing to handle whatever happened. What did that cost you, and how might you approach similar situations differently now?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 32: Building Your Public Character
The coming pages reveal to maintain dignity in social situations without seeming arrogant, and teach us controlling your reactions protects your inner peace. These discoveries help us navigate similar situations in our own lives.