Spare Time Is Not Enough Pt II
The Daily Stoic26 Heinä 2019

Spare Time Is Not Enough Pt II

The great Athenian statesman Pericles once explained to his people that being a great naval power was not some hobby. It was the key to their survival. “Seamanship is an art,” he said, “just like anything else, and you cannot merely practice it ‘on the side’ whenever you feel like it. To the contrary, it leaves you no room for side pursuits.”

The Stoics believed philosophy was the same. That self-improvement and the pursuit of wisdom was not this extra thing we did with our spare time when we were finished working or putting our kids down to bed. No, it was the main thing. Everything else was the hobby.

That was Seneca’s line (which we talked about in March):

“Devote yourself wholly to philosophy. You are worthy of her; she is worthy of you; greet one another with a loving embrace. Say farewell to all other interests with courage and frankness. Do not study philosophy merely during your spare time.”

And what was true in March was true in the first century AD when he wrote it, and it’s an important reminder again here today.

If someone with a great track record had a great investment opportunity for you, you’d clear your schedule and seriously research it. If you got the call you’ve been waiting for, the one that would let you pursue your dream career, you’d do anything to say yes. You’d quite everything else. But wisdom seems less urgent. Less important. Something you can get around to later, if you so choose.

No. If the end goal is happiness, strength in adversity, perspective, virtue—the kinds of traits you see in the people you truly admire—then philosophy has to be the priority, not the side hustle. It has to be the main thing. Everything else can come after, if there is even room.


See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jaksot(2917)

Arthur Brooks’ Ultimate Philosophy Masterclass (PT. 1)

Arthur Brooks’ Ultimate Philosophy Masterclass (PT. 1)

What are you missing by only seeing the world through one philosophy? In this masterclass, Arthur Brooks and Ryan walk through the biggest schools of thought and reveal how they fit together in a way ...

26 Maalis 36min

It Takes Much Longer Than You Think (Or Want)

It Takes Much Longer Than You Think (Or Want)

Almost everything worthwhile—like wisdom, leadership, mastery, opportunity—takes far more time than we expect, than we want. 🎙️ AD-FREE | Support the podcast and go deeper into Stoicism by subscribin...

26 Maalis 2min

There Will Always Be People Who Don’t Get It | Hasan Minhaj Tests Ryan Holiday’s Stoic Knowledge

There Will Always Be People Who Don’t Get It | Hasan Minhaj Tests Ryan Holiday’s Stoic Knowledge

People are misinformed. People have skewed priorities and conflicts of interest. They’re not always going to understand.🎥 Watch Ryan’s episode on Hasan Minhaj Doesn’t Know here: https://www.youtube.c...

25 Maalis 16min

It’s Not Supposed To Go Down Easy | This 10 Minute Habit Will Change Your Life

It’s Not Supposed To Go Down Easy | This 10 Minute Habit Will Change Your Life

Amor Fati is a challenge. That’s the whole point.🎥 VIDEO EPISODE | Watch this episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DCub4GIbZw🎙️ AD-FREE | Support the podcast and go deeper into Stoicism by...

24 Maalis 17min

This Is The Only Thing You Get to Choose | There Is Philosophy In Everything

This Is The Only Thing You Get to Choose | There Is Philosophy In Everything

Fortune behaves as she pleases, the Stoics said. 📘 Grab a copy of The Daily Stoic here: https://store.dailystoic.com/🎙️ AD-FREE | Support the podcast and go deeper into Stoicism by subscribing to T...

23 Maalis 7min

BONUS | Charles Duhigg's Reading List (From Ryan Holiday)

BONUS | Charles Duhigg's Reading List (From Ryan Holiday)

From the archives, Ryan takes Supercommunicators author Charles Duhigg to The Painted Porch after the podcast and shares a stack of book recommendations that still hold up today. 🎙️ Listen to Charle...

22 Maalis 14min

You’re Not as Powerful as You Think (Seneca)

You’re Not as Powerful as You Think (Seneca)

We like to think we’re free and other people aren’t. Seneca flips that idea completely. The people in control may be the most trapped of all.Today’s episode is an excerpt from The Tao Of Seneca produc...

22 Maalis 15min

The Stoic Secrets Great Leaders Use | Daniel Coyle

The Stoic Secrets Great Leaders Use | Daniel Coyle

The more you control, the worse you lead. In this conversation, Ryan talks with leadership expert Daniel Coyle about why the best teams aren’t run like machines, why connection matters more than contr...

21 Maalis 34min

Suosittua kategoriassa Liike-elämä ja talous

sijotuskasti
mimmit-sijoittaa
rss-rahapodi
psykopodiaa-podcast
ostan-asuntoja-podcast
herrasmieshakkerit
rss-rahamania
rahapuhetta
rss-seuraava-potilas
rss-merja-mahkan-rahat
rss-40-ajatusta-aanesta
rss-bisnesta-bebeja
rss-20-30-40-podcast
rss-draivi
rss-strategian-seurassa
rss-porssipuhetta
rss-lahtijat
rss-levosta-kasin-yrittajyys
rss-paasipodi
rss-inderes