# Of Providence explained — Discourses

> Chapter companion for Discourses by Epictetus.

## What happens

Epictetus argues that the natural world and human body are evidence of divine providence, urging gratitude and the duty to praise God as rational beings.

## Themes in this chapter

### Providence and Acceptance

The entire chapter is a meditation on divine providence as seen in nature and the human body, urging acceptance and gratitude.

### Philosophy as Practical Discipline

Epictetus presents the act of praising God as the philosopher's daily work, a practical duty for a rational creature.

## Character check-ins

### Epictetus

Speaker and teacher, uses his own lameness as an example of a rational creature's duty to praise God.

### Zeus

Invoked as a witness to the shamelessness of those who deny providence.

## Key lines

> For what else can I do, a lame old man, than sing hymns to God?

As a lame old man, my only remaining work is to praise God.

_Epictetus uses his own physical limitation to illustrate the universal duty of gratitude._

> If then I was a nightingale, I would do the part of a nightingale; if I were a swan, I would do like a swan. But now I am a rational creature, and I ought to praise God: this is my work.

Every creature has its proper function; mine as a rational being is to praise God.

_Highlights the Stoic concept of role-based duty according to one's nature._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/discourses_se/chapters/xvi-of-providence
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/discourses_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/discourses_se/chapters