The Preamble Government Shutdown, White House Renovations, and Stoic Virtues
Oct 30, 2025
Ryan Holiday, a New York Times bestselling author and Stoic philosophy expert, dives into his book, Wisdom Takes Work. He emphasizes the importance of reading as a superpower and discusses the four cardinal virtues of Stoicism. Ryan shares insights into historical figures like Lincoln and how self-education shaped their leadership. The conversation also touches on the U.S. government shutdown, the delay in swearing-in Rep. Grijalva, and the demolition of the White House's East Wing, highlighting the intertwined nature of history and current events.
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Virtues Are Interdependent
- Stoic cardinal virtues are interrelated and hinge on one another.
- Wisdom shapes how courage, discipline, and justice are applied in life.
Books Let You Talk To The Dead
- Zeno's 'conversation with the dead' came from hearing Socrates read in the Agora after a shipwreck.
- Ryan frames books as a way to talk to past thinkers and gain timeless practical advice.
Wisdom Is Earned Work
- Wisdom is elusive and grows as you realize how much you don't know.
- Ryan treats wisdom as a method produced by lifelong work, reading, and questioning.
