The Daily Stoic Are You Willing To Be Taught? | 11 Stoic Books That Will Improve Your Life
Discover the power of being open to new ideas and lifelong learning. Explore transformative ancient Stoic texts from greats like Marcus Aurelius and Seneca, revealing their timeless wisdom on resilience and self-discipline. Learn how adversity shapes character through the lens of modern experiences, including insights from a fighter pilot. Highlights include the contrast between Stoic teachings and personal stories, emphasizing how engaging with these philosophies can foster personal growth and deeper understanding.
15:50
Be Willing to Be Taught
- Be open to learning from life's lessons, even unsolicited advice.
- Embrace feedback and consequences as opportunities for growth.
Marcus Aurelius's Commitment to Learning
- Marcus Aurelius willingly continued his education for two decades, even as emperor.
- He chose to be taught, demonstrating humility and a desire to learn.
The Importance of Reading
- Reading is essential for both writing and personal growth.
- Stoics believe that reading great works is crucial for a good life.
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Intro
00:00 • 4min
Transformative Wisdom from Ancient Stoicism
03:55 • 4min
The Enduring Wisdom of Stoicism and Meaning through Suffering
07:46 • 2min
Philosophical Insights on Adversity and Resilience
09:39 • 6min
Living Philosophy: Lessons from Stoic Lives
15:24 • 3min
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.
Discourses
Epictetus
The Discourses of Epictetus are a series of informal lectures written down by his pupil Arrian around 108 AD. The philosophy of Epictetus is intensely practical, directing students to focus on their opinions, anxieties, passions, and desires to distinguish what is within their control from what is not.
The teachings aim to make people free and happy by living virtuously and 'according to nature.
' The Discourses cover a wide range of topics, including friendship, illness, fear, and poverty, and how to acquire and maintain tranquility.
They are set in Epictetus' classroom in Nicopolis and reflect his earnest and often humorous style of teaching.
Man's Search for Meaning
Viktor Frankl
The book is divided into two parts.
The first part recounts Frankl's harrowing experiences as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps, including Auschwitz, between 1942 and 1945.
He describes the inhumane conditions and the psychological and emotional struggles of the prisoners.
The second part introduces Frankl's theory of logotherapy, which posits that the primary human drive is the search for meaning, rather than pleasure.
Frankl argues that meaning can be found through three main avenues: work (doing something significant), love (caring for another), and suffering (finding meaning in one's own suffering).
The book emphasizes the importance of finding purpose and meaning in life, even in the most adverse conditions, as a key factor in survival and personal growth.
Lives of the Stoics
The Art of Living from Zeno to Marcus Aurelius
Ryan Holiday
Stephen Hanselman
This book presents the fascinating lives of twenty-six ancient Stoics, from Zeno to Marcus Aurelius, organized in digestible mini-biographies.
It vividly brings to life the stories of key Stoic philosophers, such as Seneca, Epictetus, and Cicero, and demonstrates how their philosophies shaped their actions and legacies.
The authors intertwine historical context with philosophical insights, making the book both educational and entertaining.
It shows how Stoic principles can be applied to modern life, emphasizing virtues like Courage, Justice, Temperance, and Wisdom.
The inner citadel
Pierre Hadot
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.
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.
Courage under Fire
James Stockdale
In 'Courage Under Fire', James B. Stockdale recounts his harrowing experiences as a prisoner of war in Vietnam and how the teachings of Epictetus, as outlined in 'The Enchiridion', provided him with the strength to endure torture and isolation.
The book explores the power of Stoic philosophy in the face of extreme adversity.
How to Think Like a Roman Emperor
The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius
Donald Robertson
In this book, Donald J. Robertson combines the life of Marcus Aurelius with insights from modern psychology and the enduring wisdom of Stoic philosophy.
The book follows Marcus Aurelius' journey from a young noble to his reign as emperor of Rome, highlighting how he used philosophical doctrines and therapeutic practices to build emotional resilience and endure adversity.
Robertson guides readers on how to apply these same methods to their own lives, making Stoicism accessible and relevant in a modern context.
Philosophy as a way of life
Pierre Hadot
In 'Philosophy as a Way of Life,' Pierre Hadot argues that ancient philosophy was not merely a theoretical discipline but an art of living aimed at relieving suffering and transforming the self.
The book delves into 'spiritual exercises' such as self-control, meditation, and the view from above, which were central to the practices of Socrates, Stoicism, and Epicureanism.
Hadot's work emphasizes the importance of these exercises in achieving wisdom and living a fulfilling life, and it highlights the distinction between ancient philosophical practices and the more abstract, theoretical approach of modern philosophy.
Lectures and Sayings
Lectures and Sayings
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Musonius Rufus
Wisdom isn’t just what you seek out. In fact, much of the most important wisdom we learn in life seeks us out. The piece of unsolicited advice from someone who has been in our position. The painful consequences of a bad decision that become undeniably clear. The feedback from the audience or the customer after all those years of work.
Epictetus said we can’t learn that which we think we already know. Zeno reminds us that conceit is the impediment to growth and change. If you’re not willing to be taught, you cannot learn.
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And in today's Daily Stoic video excerpt, Ryan shares 11 Stoic Books That Will Improve Your Life. But what if you wanted to go deeper? What if you wanted to read commentary and biographies on the practitioners? How did the philosophy develop over the years? What do the critics have to say? How did Stoicism inspire Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy? Or maybe you want to find a fiction book that is inspired by Stoicism? Or just a simple introductory text for beginners? In this video excerpt Ryan Holiday talks about some of the essential books that you should read about Stoic philosophy.
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