38 pages • 1 hour read
The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
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Book Brief
416
Book • Nonfiction
2010s
2016
Adult
16+ years
Super Short Summary
The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman provides a year's worth of daily meditations based on Stoic philosophy, drawing from works by Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and Seneca. Each day features a Stoic quote followed by Holiday's analysis, emphasizing self-discipline, emotional neutrality, and working for the common good. The goal is to make Stoic philosophy accessible and practical for modern readers, encouraging them to embody its principles in everyday life. Throughout the book, Holiday explores themes of virtue, managing perceptions, taking purposeful action, and accepting uncontrollable events to foster a balanced, ethical life.
Informative
Contemplative
Inspirational
Reviews & Readership
73,438 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman provides accessible daily meditations drawn from Stoic philosophy, blending ancient wisdom with modern relevance. Readers appreciate its practical insights, but some find the content repetitive over the year. Overall, a beneficial guide for daily reflection, despite occasional redundancy.
Who Should Read The Daily Stoic?
A reader who enjoys The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman likely seeks daily inspiration and practical wisdom grounded in ancient philosophy. Comparable to fans of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations or Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now, this reader appreciates timeless insights for modern living and personal growth.
73,438 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Epictetus
Epictetus
A Stoic philosopher who lived from 50 CE to 135 CE and was a former enslaved person. He is known for his teachings in the Discourses, which emphasize self-mastery and reasoned choices.
Seneca
Seneca
A Stoic philosopher and statesman who lived from 4 BCE to 65 CE. He is remembered for his Moral Letters and his role as an advisor to Emperor Nero.
Marcus Aurelius
Marcus Aurelius
A Roman Emperor and Stoic philosopher who lived from 121 CE to 180 CE, celebrated for his personal reflections in Meditations which he used to guide his rule.
Musonius Rufus
Musonius Rufus
A Roman Stoic philosopher of the first-century CE who taught Epictetus and advocated for philosophy's practical application in daily life, which was preserved in his Lectures.
Quintus Junius Rusticus
Quintus Junius Rusticus
A second-century Roman politician and teacher who greatly influenced Marcus Aurelius by introducing him to Epictetus’s writings, leveraging his political status to support Stoic philosophy without facing exile.
416
Book • Nonfiction
2010s
2016
Adult
16+ years
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