Discipline Is Destiny: The Power of Self-Control (The Stoic Virtues Series)

by Ryan Holiday

without becoming slaves to their ambition, to their careers, to their urges. Who will you be? What race are you running?

You know that expression, “When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail”? That is a warning. It’s about rigidity. It’s about seeing yourself a certain way, seeing your job a certain way and the limitations inherent therein.

Non ability to reason

Such is the paradox of success. Precisely when we think we’ve earned the right to relax our discipline is exactly when we need it most. The payoff for all our efforts? So much more temptation. So many more distractions. So many more opportunities.

You will show that success has not changed you. Except that it has made you better.

See how far you get without self-discipline, how long your success lasts, how quickly any virtue can become a vice if taken too far . . . including courage, justice, and even wisdom.