# Chapter XXXII explained — Short Works

> Chapter companion for Short Works by Epictetus.

## What happens

Epictetus provides guidance on the proper philosophical approach to divination, advising that one should inquire without personal desire or aversion, treating any outcome as an indifferent to be used well. He emphasizes that reason must prevail in matters of clear moral duty, such as aiding a friend or country, regardless of ominous signs.

## Themes in this chapter

### Dichotomy of Control

Central to the instruction: the outcome of divination is not in our power and is therefore indifferent; only our use of the outcome is within our power.

### Reason as Guide and Consolation

Reason is presented as the 'greater diviner' that must prevail over ominous signs when moral duty (helping friend or country) is clear.

## Character check-ins

### Epictetus

The narrator and teacher, instructing on the correct use of divination from a Stoic perspective.

### Socrates

Cited as an authority on when one ought to go to divination, specifically for matters where reason or art provides no means of knowing the outcome.

### The Gods

Referenced as advisers to be consulted with confidence, and specifically the Pythian God (Apollo) who condemned the failure to assist a friend.

## Key lines

> if it is any of the things which are not in our power, it is absolutely necessary that it must be neither good nor bad.

If the divination concerns an external event outside your control, the result itself is neither good nor evil.

_Reinforces the Stoic doctrine of indifferents._

> reason prevails that even with these risks we should share the dangers of our friend and of our country.

Our rational judgment dictates that we must stand by our friend and country, even if doing so risks death, injury, or exile.

_Highlights the supremacy of reasoned moral duty over fear based on divination._

> attend to the greater diviner, the Pythian God, who ejected from the temple him who did not assist his friend when he was being murdered.

Heed the higher oracle of divine moral principle, exemplified by the god who banished a man for failing to help a friend in mortal danger.

_Uses a mythological example to underscore that moral failure is the true impiety, not ignoring bad omens._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/epictetus_short_works_se/chapters/xxxii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/epictetus_short_works_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/epictetus_short_works_se/chapters