How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
This is the moment to consult the oracle. Ask, How will Ed make out on this first selling trip? But he was too nervous to. It might give a bad omen, and he did not feel capable of facing it. In any case, the die was cast: the pieces were made, the shop set up—whatever the I Ching might blab out at this point.
It can't sell our jewelry for us... it can't give us luck. (9.12-3)
It's true that most of our Fate quotes are about Frank, because he loves checking the I Ching. But even Frank runs up into situations where the Oracle can't help, like when Ed goes to sell jewelry to Childan. Note that Frank ends up saying what the I Ching can't do, but he starts out saying that he's too nervous and it's too late. Maybe it would've helped to check the I Ching before…
Quote #5
The Moment changes. One must be ready to change with it. Or otherwise left high and dry. Adapt. (9.166)
If you just read this, could you guess who is thinking it? It kind of sounds like Tagomi to us, but it's actually Childan. Here's Childan's take on Fate: there's this whole thing you can't control, called the Moment. But there is something you can control—you can adapt yourself to the Moment.
Quote #6
Childan thought, He's actually saying: Which are you Robert? He whom the oracle calls "the inferior man," or that other for whom all the good advice is meant? Must decide, here. You may trot on one way or the other, but not both. Moment of choice now. (11.141)
Childan's big choice is when Paul asks him if he wants to make cheap trinkets out of the Edfrank jewelry. Luckily, because of the POV, we know this is a big choice because Childan recognizes it. Is there any element of fate here or is this all under Childan's free will?