New PN: Wisdom Takes Work
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Learn. Apply. Repeat.by Ryan Holiday |
“Let no one be slow to seek wisdom when they are young nor weary in the search when they have grown old. For no age is too early or too late for the health of the soul. And to say that the season for studying philosophy has not yet come, or that it is past and gone, is like saying that the season for happiness is not yet or that it is now no more."EPICURUS |
FROM THE BOOK“Wisdom has been the work of great men and women for millennia, long before Socrates supposedly brought philosophy down from the heavens.
We’ll look at the ideas of Montaigne and Emerson—our guides in the book—alongside the hubris and stupidity of people who should have known better. We’ll look at the patient, practical wisdom of Lincoln, and contrast it with the impulsive immaturity of so-called geniuses who, for all their brainpower, fail to understand so much. Most of all, we’ll look at the work they did—because nobody got their wisdom for free. Like the other virtues, wisdom is a by-product of doing the right thing in the right way at the right time, not just once but consistently over the course of a life. It is the result of a method, and yet it is never actually possessed. That’s because it is the method. The methods might be simple, but committing to them for a lifetime? The returns might be modest day to day, but over the course of a lifetime . . . We can get wiser, but never wise. Smarter but never smart. Closer but never there. Wisdom is available to anyone willing to learn it. Wisdom is not comfortable. Wisdom is a battle to be won. Wisdom takes work. But it’s worth it.” |
Brian's Notes
This is the fourth book in Ryan Holiday’s four-part Stoic Virtue Series.
We covered the first three as well: Courage Is Calling, Discipline Is Destiny, and Right Thing, Right Now.
And, we’ve covered a bunch of Ryan’s previous books as well including: The Obstacle Is the Way, Stillness Is the Key, Ego Is the Enemy, and The Daily Stoic.
As I’ve said in all those previous Notes, I admire Ryan for a number of reasons. He’s an incredible writer. I’ve read a few books at this stage, and I can assure you that there’s a very big difference between a very well-crafted book and one that isn’t. Ryan is a MASTER.
I also admire just how prolific he is and, most importantly, I admire how hard he works to truly PRACTICE his philosophy. It’s (goosebumps) inspiring.
As with all his books, this one is packed with great stories and practical wisdom. (Get a copy here.) I’m excited to share some of my favorite Big Ideas and help you APPLY that wisdom to your life TODAY so let’s get to work.
P.S. Check out our collection of Notes on dozens of my favorite books on Stoicism along with Stoicism 101 for more.
We covered the first three as well: Courage Is Calling, Discipline Is Destiny, and Right Thing, Right Now.
And, we’ve covered a bunch of Ryan’s previous books as well including: The Obstacle Is the Way, Stillness Is the Key, Ego Is the Enemy, and The Daily Stoic.
As I’ve said in all those previous Notes, I admire Ryan for a number of reasons. He’s an incredible writer. I’ve read a few books at this stage, and I can assure you that there’s a very big difference between a very well-crafted book and one that isn’t. Ryan is a MASTER.
I also admire just how prolific he is and, most importantly, I admire how hard he works to truly PRACTICE his philosophy. It’s (goosebumps) inspiring.
As with all his books, this one is packed with great stories and practical wisdom. (Get a copy here.) I’m excited to share some of my favorite Big Ideas and help you APPLY that wisdom to your life TODAY so let’s get to work.
P.S. Check out our collection of Notes on dozens of my favorite books on Stoicism along with Stoicism 101 for more.
Big Ideas
01: TALK TO THE DEAD
02: CREATE A SECOND BRAIN
03: A HEALTHY MIND
04: MAKE MISTAKES
05: EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP
“No man was ever wise by chance."SENECA |
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