I have decided to quote at length from Epictetus’ ‘Discourses’ and so I invite you, gentle reader, to join me and reflect on his words and wisdom. Epictetus writes:
On the subject of the gods, there are those who deny the existence of divinity outright. Others say that God exists, but is idle and indifferent and does not pay attention to anything. A third group says that God exists and is attentive, but only to the workings of the heavens, never affairs on earth. A fourth group says that he does attend to earthly affairs, including the welfare of humanity, but only in a general way, without worrying about individuals. And then there is a fifth group, Odysseus and Socrates among them, who say that ‘I cannot make a move without God’s notice.’
Before doing anything else we need to examine these views separately to decide which are true and false. Because if the gods do not exist, what sense can be made of the command to ‘follow the gods?’ And how can it be a sensible goal if they exist, but do not have any cares? Even supposing that they exist and care, if that care does not extend to people, and, in point of fact, to me personally, it is still no worthwhile goal.
The intelligent person, after due consideration of the question, will decide to submit his will to the ruler of the universe, as good citizens submit to the laws of the state.
Education should be approached with this goal in mind: How can I personally follow the gods always and how can I adapt to God’s government, and so be free? Freedom, you see, is having events go in accordance with our will, never contrary to it.
Well – is freedom the same as madness? Of course not. Madness and freedom are poles apart. ‘But I want my wishes realized, never mind the reason behind them.’ Now, that’s madness, that’s insanity. Freedom is something good and valuable; to arbitrarily wish for things to happen that arbitrarily seem to you best is not good, it’s disgraceful.
Searcher-Seeker 
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