32. How to Use an Oracle

In Epictetus's world, people consulted oracles to learn what would happen. He allows the practice, but not as most people use it.

When you turn to fortune-telling, remember that you do not know what the event will be.

You come to learn it from the fortune-teller.

The nature of the event, though, you already know, if you are a student of philosophy. If it is among the things not in our own power, it cannot be either good or evil.

Do not, then, carry either desire or aversion with you to the fortune-teller. If you do, you will come trembling.

First, know clearly that every event is neither good nor bad for you, whatever sort it may be. It will be in your power to make right use of it, and in this no one can block you.

Then come with confidence to the gods as your counselors.

Once the counsel has been given, remember what sort of counselors you have taken on, and whose advice you will be refusing if you disobey.

Go to an oracle, as Socrates said, in cases whose whole weight turns on the outcome, and where there is no way to work out the answer by reason or by any other skill.

When it is your duty to share the danger of a friend or your country, do not ask an oracle whether you should share it.

Even if the fortune-teller warns you that the omens are bad, the bad omen means at most that death, or being maimed, or exile is in your future.

You have reason within you, and reason tells you, even at these costs, to stand by your friend and your country.

Pay attention, then, to the greater oracle, the Pythian god, who drove out of his temple the man who gave no help to his friend while another was killing him.

What this means. Do not ask the future for permission to do what you already know is right. Some duties do not wait on signs.