This Is How To Become Wise | Make Honesty Your Only Policy

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.

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.

The Iliad is an epic poem attributed to Homer, set during the Trojan War. It begins in the ninth year of the war, where a quarrel between King Agamemnon and the warrior Achilles sets off a chain of events. The poem explores themes of heroism, honor, and fate as it describes the battles and interactions between Greek warriors like Achilles, Diomedes, and Odysseus, and Trojan warriors like Hector and Paris. The story is interspersed with divine interventions from Greek gods and goddesses, influencing the outcome of the war. The poem culminates with Achilles' reconciliation with Agamemnon and his subsequent rage against the Trojans, leading to the death of Hector and the eventual funeral rites for Patroclus and Hector.

This work includes the Discourses, which are detailed teachings on Stoic philosophy, the Encheiridion, a handbook summarizing the chief doctrines of the Discourses, and various fragments. Epictetus emphasizes the distinction between what is within our control and what is not, the importance of living in accordance with nature, and the role of reason in achieving mental freedom and happiness. The Encheiridion, compiled by Arrian, provides practical precepts for daily life, advocating for emotional resilience, detachment, and the careful examination of judgments.

Gates of Fire tells the story of the Battle of Thermopylae through the eyes of Xeones, a wounded Greek soldier who recounts his life and the events leading up to the battle. The novel explores Spartan culture, the rigorous training regimen known as the *agoge*, and the heroic stand of the Spartans against the overwhelming forces of the Persian Empire. The story is framed as a series of interviews between Xeones and members of the Persian court, detailing the battle and its aftermath, as well as the personal and philosophical aspects of Spartan warfare and culture.

Seneca's "Moral Letters to Lucilius" is a collection of personal letters offering guidance on Stoic philosophy and practical living. The letters cover a wide range of topics, including virtue, happiness, death, and the pursuit of wisdom. Seneca's writing style is engaging and accessible, making complex philosophical ideas understandable to a wider audience. The letters offer both theoretical discussions and practical advice, making them a valuable resource for those seeking self-improvement. Their enduring relevance lies in their timeless wisdom and their focus on living a meaningful life.