I built the Almanack of Naval Ravikant or Navalmanack entirely out of transcripts, Tweets, and talks Naval has shared. Every attempt is made to present Naval in his own words. However, there are a few important points.
- The transcripts have been edited for clarity and brevity (multiple times).
- Not all sources are primary (some excerpts are from other writers quoting Naval).
- I can’t be 100 percent certain of every source’s authenticity.
- Concepts and interpretations change over time, medium, and context.
- Please verify phrasing with a primary source before citing Naval from this text.
- Please interpret generously.
By definition, everything in this book is taken out of context. Interpretations will change over time. Read and interpret generously. Understand the original intent may be different than your interpretation in a different time, medium, format, and context.
In the process of creating this book, I may have mistakenly re-contextualized, misinterpreted, or misunderstood things. As content passed through time, space, and medium, some phrasing may have shifted in flight. Every effort has been made to maintain the original intent, but errors are (very) possible.
Interviews have been transcribed, edited, rearranged, and re-edited for readability. I did my best to keep Naval’s ideas in his own words.
All brilliance in this book is Naval’s; any mistakes are mine.
Huge thanks to Sky King for his help. If you need help with podcast growth or monetization go to modernstoa.co or hit him up on twitter @consumersky
Artwork and illustrations by Jack Butcher of @VisualizeValue
If you don’t have time for the podcast here are a few important quotes from the prologue of The Almanack of Naval.
Naval Ravikant has changed my life for the better, and if you approach the following pages like a friendly but highly competent sparring partner, he might just change yours. - Tim Ferriss
“Naval is one of the smartest people I have ever met and he is one of the most courageous.” - Tim Ferriss
“I’ve learned a few things, and some principles. I try to lay them out in a timeless manner, where you can figure it out for yourself. Because at the end of the day, I can’t quite teach anything. I can only inspire you and maybe give you a few hooks so you can remember.” - Naval Ravikant
“Naval is one of the people I call most for advice” - Tim Ferriss
“Books make for great friends, because the best thinkers of the last few thousand years tell you their nuggets of wisdom.” - Naval Ravikant
“I take Naval seriously because he:
Questions nearly everything
Can think from first principles
Tests things well
Is good at not fooling himself
Changes his mind regularly
Laughs a lot
Thinks holistically
Thinks long-term
And…doesn’t take himself too goddamn seriously.
That last one is important” - Tim Ferriss
Smart Friends