Short Summary of this book
The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman is an excellent primer on an ancient school of thought through a daily devotional series. The book contains 366 reflections influenced by the three major stoic philosophers of the time, Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus, on stoic teachings such as wisdom, perseverance, and self-discipline. Every entry will give a quotation or concept from one of these three philosophers, then explain its relevance in modern life. Thus, it befits a troubled life. It is in this format that Stoicism is easily learned and applied, teaching resilient thinking and a more thoughtful approach to life.
The three key Stoic disciplines underlying the book are perception, action, and will. By mastering perception, one learns to see situations clearly and rationally, not clouded by emotion where it is unnecessary. The discipline of action teaches us to live with integrity, to align our actions with our values, and to make positive contributions to the world. Lastly, the discipline of will seeks to develop inner strength in enduring adversity and accepting things one cannot control. The Daily Stoic reminds one daily of the need to live virtuously, take up challenges, and work at self-improvement.
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