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366 meditations on wisdom, perseverance and the art of living

The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom Perseverance and the Art of Living. By Ryan Holiday

This is superb in any version. It’s a must read. I have it on my kindle as a paper bag and also now has an audio copy from audible.co.uk. The bite-size pieces of daily wisdom from the Emperor Marcus Aurelius, Seneca and Epictetus are profound and insightful. It is remarkable how wisdom from 2000 years […]
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The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom Perseverance and the Art of Living. By Ryan HolidayBook Review by Jonathan Bowman-Perks

This is superb in any version. It’s a must read.

I have it on my kindle as a paper bag and also now has an audio copy from audible.co.uk. The bite-size pieces of daily wisdom from the Emperor Marcus Aurelius, Seneca and Epictetus are profound and insightful. It is remarkable how wisdom from 2000 years ago is still highly relevant today. For example the Emperor Marcus Aurelius was coping with the Anthony and plague which killed millions just as we are going through a pandemic and he spent 19 years in the forests of Hungary Austria and southern Germany fighting The Huns.

 

Ryan takes quotes from the old Stoic Philosophers and adds a modern twist and interpretation to make it highly relevant for us today. This is the first thing I read when I wake up sets me in the right frame of mind. Never read the news first thing it always depresses you but do you read the daily stoic.

Book Review: “The Daily Stoic” by Ryan Holiday

Top 10 Stoic Tips for Business Leaders:

  • Embrace What You Can Control: Focus on your actions, reactions, and attitudes, as they are within your control. Outcomes often aren’t.
  • See Obstacles as Opportunities: Challenges are chances for growth and innovation. Embrace them.
  • Practice Negative Visualization: Prepare for worst-case scenarios. This will equip you to handle setbacks and prevent complacency.
  • Act According to Your Values: Make decisions grounded in integrity. It leads to respect and trust.
  • Remain Unperturbed by External Events: Don’t let external circumstances affect your tranquility. Maintain your composure and judgment.
  • Seek Wisdom: Continuously learn from every situation and person. Be a student of life.
  • Practise Dispassion: Make decisions based on rational judgment, not emotional reactions.
  • Acceptance: Accept things as they are, not as you wish them to be. This helps in making realistic plans and strategies.
  • Practise Moderation: Avoid extremes in all aspects of business. Balance ambition with pragmatism.
  • Embrace Change: Everything is impermanent. Be adaptable and ready for change, it’s the key to survival and growth.

“The Daily Stoic” by Ryan Holiday, an ambitious undertaking to distill the essence of ancient stoic philosophy into daily practical teachings, is a thought-provoking and insightful read. It effectively blends the time-honored wisdom of stoic philosophy with contemporary context, making it a pertinent guide for individuals navigating today’s challenging and ever-changing world.

In this book, Holiday synthesizes the teachings of eminent Stoic philosophers such as Epictetus, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius, offering 366 entries—one for each day of the year. Each entry comprises a quotation from one of these luminaries, followed by Holiday’s interpretation. This structured layout allows readers to digest and ruminate over one piece of wisdom each day, fostering a slow, consistent absorption of Stoic thought.

Holiday’s interpretative commentaries are enlightening, offering readers a modern lens through which to view these ancient philosophies. He succeeds in drawing apt connections between the Stoic teachings and present-day scenarios, whether it be in handling personal difficulties, coping with global crises, or maintaining poise in professional settings. His lucid writing style ensures the material remains accessible to individuals new to Stoicism while providing enough depth to engage those already acquainted with this philosophy.

At its core, “The Daily Stoic” is about understanding and implementing stoic philosophy as a way of life. It teaches acceptance of what one cannot control, emphasizes the importance of clear judgment, and advocates maintaining tranquility amidst turmoil. Although these principles originate from ancient times, Holiday effectively conveys their enduring relevance and applicability.

“The Daily Stoic” falls short in some areas, with some entries feeling too cursory, offering limited depth. Furthermore, Holiday’s interpretations occasionally appear biased by his personal perspectives, which may not resonate with all readers.

Despite these minor drawbacks, “The Daily Stoic” is an inspiring read that motivates introspection and personal growth. It doesn’t demand wholesale adoption of Stoicism; instead, it encourages readers to glean what resonates with them. An excellent read for anyone seeking wisdom, tranquility, and guidance in handling life’s vicissitudes, this book transcends the boundaries of self-help, philosophy, and spiritual genres to emerge as a beacon of practical wisdom.

a few of my favourites:

  1. “Self knowledge is freedom”

    Epictetus 

  2. “If it’s not right, don’t do it.
    If it’s not true, don’t say it.”

    Emperor Marcus Aurelius

  3. “If a little is not enough for you, nothing is.”

    Epicurus

  4. Receive honours & slights the same way

    Receive without pride, let go without attachment.”

    Marcus Aurelius Meditations

  5. The easiest thing of all is to deceive oneself because we believe whatever we want to believe.

    Demosthenes

  6. Self-deception is the enemy

    “It impossible for a person to begin to learn what he thinks he already knows” 

    Epictetus

  7. “Often injustice lies in what you ARE NOT doing, not in what you ARE doing.”

    Marcus Aurelius meditations

  8. Build a rest ethic as strong as your work ethic

    True rest is Noble Leisure. It fills your life with meaning.

    Aristotle 

  9. Manage the unavoidable 

    Avoid the unmanageable 

    Stoic wisdom

  10. “The tranquillity that comes when you stop caring what they think.
    Or say. Or do. 

    Only what you do.”

    Marcus Aurelius

– Jonathan Bowman-Perks

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