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How We Ought to Use Divination explained

Epictetus argues that divination is often misused due to cowardice and a desire to know future outcomes, when instead one should rely on the internal diviner—reason—that discerns good and evil.

What happens

Epictetus argues that divination is often misused due to cowardice and a desire to know future outcomes, when instead one should rely on the internal diviner—reason—that discerns good and evil. He illustrates with the example of a woman who prioritizes her duty to send provisions to Gratilla over fear of Domitian's seizure, and advises approaching divination without desire or aversion, trusting only what is best according to God's will.

Themes in this chapter

  • Dichotomy of Control

    Epictetus emphasizes that outcomes like life, death, poverty, or wealth are not in our control; only our choices and duties are.

  • Social Duty and Friendship

    The duty to expose oneself to danger for a friend, even to die, is prioritized over consulting divination.

  • Rationality and Self-Examination

    The internal diviner—reason—is the true guide for discerning good and evil, not external signs.

Characters to notice

  • Epictetus

    The speaker who critiques the misuse of divination and advocates for reliance on reason.

  • Domitian

    Mentioned as the emperor who might seize provisions sent to Gratilla.

  • Gratilla

    The recipient of provisions sent by a woman in banishment, used as an example of duty over fear.

Key passages

  • “For what more can the diviner see than death or danger or disease, or generally things of that kind? If then I must expose myself to danger for a friend, and if it is my duty even to die for him, what need have I then for divination?”

    The diviner only reveals external outcomes like death or danger, but if duty calls me to risk my life for a friend, divination becomes irrelevant.

    Epictetus argues that duty overrides the need to know future events.

  • “I would rather that Domitian should seize all than that I should not send it.”

    The woman preferred to lose everything to Domitian rather than fail in her duty to send provisions.

    An example of prioritizing moral duty over fear of external loss.

  • “What then leads us to frequent use of divination? Cowardice, the dread of what will happen.”

    Our excessive reliance on divination stems from fear and cowardice about the future.

    Epictetus identifies the root cause of misusing divination.

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