The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living

by Ryan Holiday

This kind of cruelty is possible only when we forget how we’re related to our fellow human beings and the environment.

Self-awareness and wrongdoing rarely go together.

And the work of philosophy is just this, to examine and uphold the standards, but the work of a truly good person is in using those standards when they know them.” —EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES, 2.11.23–25

Not, I want to do good—that’s an excuse. But, I will do good in this particular instance, right now. Set a standard; hold fast to it. That’s all there is.

There is almost no situation in which hatred helps. Yet almost every situation is made better by love—or empathy, understanding, appreciation—even situations in which you are in opposition to someone.

Anger always outlasts hurt. Best to take the opposite course. Would anyone think it normal to return a kick to a mule or a bite to a dog?”

“Everything turns on your assumptions about it, and that’s on you.

A virtuous person does not jump to hasty judgments about other people.

The weaker sorts will be helped and lifted from their bad opinions if we put them in the care of philosophy’s principles.”

Everyone deserves to benefit from “philosophy’s principles” as Seneca put it. If you see someone who is in need of help, or has asked for guidance, provide it. You owe them that much.

Wherever there is a human being, we have an opportunity for kindness.”

indeed in the belief that there is no good for a human being except what creates justice, self-control, courage and freedom, and nothing evil except what destroys these things.”

Instead of wasting even a second considering the opinions of future people—people who are not even born yet—focus every bit of yourself on being the best person you can be in the present moment. On doing the right thing, right now.