It's About Intensity Not Magnitude | What's Up to Us, and What's Not Up to Us

Jan 3, 2022

Delve into the essence of Stoic philosophy, distinguishing between what we can control and what we cannot. Embrace the power of intentional choices and personal accountability in response to life's challenges. Discover the importance of lingering on master thinkers for deeper wisdom. Learn how to harness your energy for meaningful action and improve your reactions to adversity, fostering a proactive mindset. Plus, get insights on a novel sleep solution designed for ultimate comfort!

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INSIGHT

Intensity over Extensity

Intellect is a magnitude of intensity, not extensity (Schopenhauer).
Deep focus on a few key works is more impactful than superficial reading of many.

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ADVICE

Focus on Depth over Breadth

Read deeply and linger on the works of a select few master thinkers.
Don't just consume a lot of books; focus on absorbing the wisdom of a few.

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ANECDOTE

The Daily Stoic

Ryan Holiday created "The Daily Stoic" to compile Stoic wisdom in one place.
The book's success shows the power of focused study of a select group of thinkers.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Understanding Control: The Foundation of Stoic Philosophy

05:56 • 2min

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The Power of Control: Understanding Stoic Principles

08:07 • 5min

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Harnessing Energy for Meaningful Action

12:40 • 3min

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• Mentioned in 1,091 episodes

Meditations

Marcus Aurelius

Meditations is a series of private writings composed by Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome's greatest emperors, as he struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe. Written between 170 and 180 CE while on military campaigns, this work combines Stoic philosophy with personal observations on leadership, duty, mortality, and human nature. Through twelve books of intimate thoughts never intended for publication, Marcus Aurelius explores themes of self-improvement, resilience in the face of adversity, and living virtuously while accepting what cannot be changed.

#28

• Mentioned in 340 episodes

The Daily Stoic

366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living

Ryan Holiday

Stephen Hanselman

This book provides 366 meditations on Stoic wisdom, featuring new translations of passages from Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and other Stoic philosophers. Each day, readers are presented with a Stoic lesson explained in modern language, along with advice on how to apply these lessons in everyday life. The book is organized temporally and thematically across the twelve months of the year, making it a daily resource for practicing Stoicism.

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A Calendar of Wisdom

Daily Thoughts to Nourish the Soul, Written and Selected from the World's Sacred Texts

Leo Tolstoy

This collection is a day-by-day guide that illuminates the path of a life worth living. It features gems of inspiration and wisdom from various historical figures including Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, Lao-Tzu, Buddha, Pascal, Jesus, Muhammad, Confucius, Emerson, Kant, Ruskin, Seneca, Socrates, and Thoreau. Tolstoy considered this work his most important contribution to humanity, and it was widely read in pre-revolutionary Russia before being banned and forgotten under Communism. Recently rediscovered, it has been praised for its timeless wisdom and inspiration.

#197

• Mentioned in 118 episodes

The Daily Stoic Journal

Ryan Holiday

Stephen Hanselman

This journal is designed to help readers apply Stoic principles to their daily lives. It features space for morning and evening notes, weekly explanations of powerful Stoic practices, related quotations, and daily prompts to inspire deeper reflection and application. Created with a durable, Smyth-sewn binding and including resources for further reading, it is a companion volume for those who love 'The Daily Stoic' and can also be used as a stand-alone journal. It aims to help readers achieve inner peace, clarity, and effectiveness in their lives.

#111

• Mentioned in 173 episodes

Letters from a Stoic

Seneca

Seneca's "Letters from a Stoic" comprises a collection of personal letters offering practical advice on living a virtuous life according to Stoic principles. Written to Lucilius, a friend and student, the letters cover a wide range of topics, including dealing with adversity, managing emotions, and finding inner peace. Seneca's writing style is engaging and relatable, making complex philosophical concepts accessible to a wider audience. The letters offer timeless wisdom on self-improvement and ethical living. They remain a valuable resource for anyone seeking guidance on navigating life's challenges.

#199

• Mentioned in 118 episodes

The Enchiridion

Epictetus

Tony Darnell

Thomas Wentworth Higginson

The Enchiridion is a concise summary of the basic ideas of Stoic philosophy and provides techniques for transforming these principles into a way of life. It was compiled by Arrian from the teachings of Epictetus and is notable for its practical advice on moral conduct in various life situations. Unlike the Discourses, which present Epictetus' teachings in a more dynamic and situational context, the Enchiridion is a more structured and concise guide to Stoic living.

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• Mentioned in 32 episodes

The Daily Laws

Robert Greene

This book by Robert Greene provides a daily dose of wisdom, drawing from his previous works and including new material. Each day features a concise lesson and a 'Daily Law' that serves as a prescription for navigating life's challenges. The book is organized monthly around themes such as power, seduction, persuasion, strategy, human nature, toxic people, self-control, mastery, psychology, leadership, adversity, and creativity. Greene emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with one's early passions and maintaining a realistic and disciplined attitude towards life and work.

Ryan explains why you should linger on the works of the master thinkers, and reads this week’s meditation from The Daily Stoic Journal, on today’s Daily Stoic Podcast.

For a limited time, the Daily Stoic ebook is $1.99 in the US and UK this week only. We have a premium leather bound version available at dailystoic.com/leather.

The new Pod Pro Cover by Eight Sleep is the most advanced solution on the market for thermoregulation. It pairs dynamic cooling and heating with biometric tracking. You can add the Cover to any mattress, and start sleeping as cool as 55°F or as hot as 110°F. Go to eightsleep.com/dailystoic to check out the Pod Pro Cover and save $150 at checkout.

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