Ego Is the Enemy

by Ryan Holiday

“Practice self-control,”

Among men who rise to fame and leadership two types are recognizable—those who are born with a belief in themselves and those in whom it is a slow growth dependent on actual achievement. To the men of the last type their own success is a constant surprise, and its fruits the more delicious, yet to be tested cautiously with a haunting sense of doubt whether it is not all a dream.

As Irving Berlin put it, “Talent is only the starting point.” The question is: Will you be able to make the most of it? Or will you be your own worst enemy? Will you snuff out the flame that is just getting going?

Those who know do not speak. Those who speak do not know. —LAO TZU

Someone recently published a book called Working On My Novel, filled with social media posts from writers who are clearly not working on their novels.