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524 reviews for:
The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
Stephen Hanselman, Ryan Holiday
4.22 AVERAGE
524 reviews for:
The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
Stephen Hanselman, Ryan Holiday
4.22 AVERAGE
Even as a child my shyness, seriousness, and vulnerable personality led me to desire to be what I would now call stoic, although I think that understanding is so this isn't someone limited. In college while taking an Ethics class (which I unethically skipped a lot) I had to write two papers, do one project, and write an essay for the final That's my only fourth grades in the class. One of the two papers had to be on a system of thought while the other had to be on a individual philosopher, although each paper had to be over a different school of thought. I chose my school thought paper to be on the stoics, and read a lot of Epictetus* at the time. I found myself a grain with an enjoying the stoics a lot. However I definitely was not as for sure my faith are critical thinking skills as I am now. Before the whole coronavirus lockdown thing happened this year I had considered making this a year where I read more philosophy, and "sacred texts" of other religions. Along with that I had hope to read not only this book, but some more lessons feelings. However as I read through this book, it was glaringly obvious that times how much some stoics philosophy disagrees with biblical teachings, and how there were stoic ideas that I would have previously grasped onto and tried to adopt, what's up realizing or resolving the contradiction. I am glad that I can appreciate this with a different perspective. I am also saddened to see within a work like this how painfully obvious it is that people are searching for answers, and even imitating the ideas of religious faith by creating something like a daily devotional. As a Christian, I openly admit the bias of my faith, but humbly suggest that no matter what you or I believe, that it is true. I do love that I can get good ideas from other places, and there are plenty of places where the stoic way of living and thinking does line up with a proper Christian lifestyle. among many other parallels one obvious one is that we are working towards a goal and trying to become more perfect while realizing we are still not there. As others have said before, all truth is God's truth. I did highlight and bookmark quite a few places in my copy, and I may return to them at some point, but I certainly don't see me adopting this as a devotional that I read with regularity every year, or even going all the way through it just once again. Part of that is my desire and goal to expand my horizons, and to read more and reconsume less, but part of it is just the practicality and applicability of going through this one multiple times. Nonetheless I do see myself reading more of what he has written, take potentially rereading the one of the book of his that I've read already. I also do enjoy the short daily podcast, although the self-promotion ads get a little annoying, it's part of my morning routine.
TL;DR - There is wisdom here, but it is not the truth. Be open-minded, yet critical, and don't let this be the one stop in your search to find purpose and learn how to live.
INAPPROPRIATE/POTENTIALLY OFFENSIVE NOTE FOLLOWS:
*I do most of my typing via speech to text and when I tried to say Epictetus above it originally heard "epic titties"
TL;DR - There is wisdom here, but it is not the truth. Be open-minded, yet critical, and don't let this be the one stop in your search to find purpose and learn how to live.
INAPPROPRIATE/POTENTIALLY OFFENSIVE NOTE FOLLOWS:
Spoiler
*I do most of my typing via speech to text and when I tried to say Epictetus above it originally heard "epic titties"
Its a good book if you want to study stoicism. I made it for 4 months, and just decided Stoicism is not for me. Far too concrete. It feels like a guy read. But the quotes are good as are the interpretations.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Coming at it from a place of scepticism, I was surprised to find that Stoic thought is interesting with valuable lessons. Accepting what is outside your control. Looking for the best while preparing for the worst. Growing from challenges. But for me the commentary in this book straddles line between just about tolerable and really painful. By mid year I gave up. Takeaway from trying DS as daily reflection this year is to explore more of the original texts, especially Marcus Aurelius. And to keep practising reflections. Just not with this book.
Read Meditations instead
Very disappointed with this. I found most of the commentary on each quote to be vacuous and trite, adding nothing. Pick up a copy of Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations instead.
Very disappointed with this. I found most of the commentary on each quote to be vacuous and trite, adding nothing. Pick up a copy of Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations instead.
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
I read this every year. It brings me such clarity. Some days have a message that really resonates with me.
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
slow-paced