If you’ve ever heard someone end a sentence with fate permitting - the Stoic reserve clause - you might have thought it’s an obvious statement. Of course you’re not gonna show up to meet your friend for coffee if you’re no longer around tomorrow, so there’s no need to mention it explicitly. 

While the word “fate” has a fatalistic tune to it and immediately makes us think of the worst, that’s not what is implied when used in the context of Stoicism. You can think of the reserve clause as a disclaimer for anything a Stoic does, or simply as a humbling reminder that the Universe might have different plans than we do. Let’s find out why keeping the reserve clause top of mind will help you approach your goals better prepared and with less anxiety.

What is the Stoic reserve clause?

The Stoic reserve clause, usually expressed by adding “fate permitting” after expressing an intention, is the acknowledgement that outcomes in any aspect of life are subject to the fickleness of destiny, over which one has no control. Applying the reserve clause is a way of practicing the Dichotomy of Control - a Stoic principle that encourages us to focus our efforts on what is up to us, rather than wasting energy on things we cannot influence.

What is the meaning of the Stoic reserve clause (“fate permitting”/”if fate permits”)?

Adding the clause “if fate permits” to everything you decide to do is a way of expressing your belief that there might be something bigger than you calling the shots.

While this particular wording comes from Stoicism, the concept also features prominently in Christianity. Deo volente (God willing) - is a phrase that was frequently used to remind oneself and others of our insignificance in the grand scheme of things. If you’re curious about the evolution of the term, Donald Robertson has collected the most important passages on the topic from Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations.

Antipater, one of the lesser-known Stoics, left us a brilliant mental model to explain the human condition as it relates to fate, which can help us understand why the Stoic reserve clause is so important to remember.

The Story of the Stoic Archer

Imagine a perfectly focused archer sitting in front of a target, aiming carefully and then releasing the arrow from his bow. Owing to his tireless training, chances are high that he will hit the target as he envisioned, but a sudden gust of wind or some unforeseen obstacle might change the trajectory of the arrow and cause him to fail in his endeavor. 

Does this mean he is a bad archer, or that all his efforts were in vain? Certainly not. Taking the best shot he could was fully in his power; the outcome, however, was not. 

Just like the Stoic archer, we can apply ourselves diligently to our tasks, but as soon as the arrow has left our bow, it is fate that decides where it will land. As we go about our day making plans and striving to achieve our goals, it’s easy to lose sight of this.

To live a content life, we must at least be at peace with this fact (and we can state it out loud by adding “fate permitting”, although we don’t have to). It would be even better if we managed to embrace it joyfully, since loving your destiny is an important part of Stoic practice.

There is a second, more subtle lesson of the Stoic reserve clause…

… one that goes beyond tempering expectations and accepting a lack of control over outcomes. 

Let’s imagine a second archer, one who hasn’t been as focused on his training as his colleague, who has to compete with the first archer in a tournament. Based on effort alone, we expect the first archer to win, but Stoicism aside, we already know from life experience that this is not how it always works. 

If the second archer manages to win the competition through a stroke of luck, what does this say about each archer’s character? 

Nothing. 

The result can be completely disconnected from the effort each of them put in. There can be correlation between effort and result, but it is never guaranteed. 

(Note that for correlation to exist, we need to observe multiple instances of the same thing. If we had the 2 archers compete 1000 times or more, the effect of skill would be even more likely to prevail over the randomness of fate.) 

This means that you should examine the consequences of your actions and decisions critically, even if they are positive, because luck (and not your skill) could have been responsible for the outcome.

How to apply the Stoic reserve clause IRL

Whether you choose to add the Stoic reserve clause to your actions or not, the point stands: nothing you do is guaranteed to give you the desired result. So if it’s pointless to rebel against this immutable fact of life, is there something you can do to increase your chances of success & happiness in spite of it? 

Of course there is. Ironically, the humility you’ve gained by acquiring this knowledge can be used to increase your chances of success. Here are some ideas on how you can harness the lessons of the Stoic reserve clause to live a better life:

1. Reframe your goals as preferred indifferents

Just because the end results are not guaranteed doesn’t mean you shouldn’t want to accomplish anything. Seneca was a senator and Marcus Aurelius was an emperor. They set a lot of goals for themselves and achieved plenty of them and so can you. The secret is to think of your goals as preferred indifferents rather than non-negotiables for a happy life. You can live well if you strive for virtue, rather than checking off a specific list.

2. Think probabilistically

Between things going your way or being stacked against you, there is a whole range of possible outcomes, each with its own likelihood. Whenever you make a decision, remember the reserve clause and think about the probability of it going wrong, as a way of recognizing that fate has a say. Be humble and remove “it can’t possibly happen to me” from your vocabulary. Just because it hasn’t happened before, doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

3. Have a back-up plan for everything you do

This follows directly from the previous point. Whenever the outcome is important to you, think of fallback plans you could implement in case things don’t go your way. (But don’t forget that they, too, are subject to the Stoic reserve clause.) The higher the likelihood of things going wrong, the more critical it becomes to have a backup plan.

4. Extend some grace to others, fate might have derailed their plans, too

After you’ve learned to give yourself credit for your actions regardless of outcomes, take it a step further and show the same understanding for those around you who put in the effort, but might not have had luck on their side. If you’re tempted to judge them based on a single event or action, remember that the specific moment in which you are observing them might reveal nothing about who they are. The Stoic reserve clause applies to everyone in equal measure.

5. Practice gratitude

When Fortune smiles on you and you hit a home run, take a second to remember this was not a given and be grateful that randomness chose to play on your team this time. Most people are never truly happy with what they have because they assume achieving those things was a foregone conclusion. As a Stoic, you should know better than to take anything for granted.

I hope you’ll give the reserve clause a try - or at least a little nod, next time you’re playing for high stakes. If not to become more humble, do it with a utilitarian purpose: to nudge yourself into being more effective at everything you do by avoiding overconfidence. Watch as your performance anxiety melts away, while your confidence in your ability to face anything increases. All from those 2 little words: fate permitting.

The Stoic reserve clause is very useful in helping you tame your expectations about the future to prevent disappointment. When combined with the Dichotomy of Control, it becomes a superpower that allows you to hone resilience at will - and who doesn’t want that?

If you liked this post, you may want to check out the one about Eudaimonia next. You will find out why flourishing is not necessarily synonymous with being happy and what the Stoics had to say about building a life in which you can truly thrive.