The Best Way To Fight Evil
The Daily Stoic19 Nov 2018

The Best Way To Fight Evil

Tolstoy believed his most essential work was not his novels but his daily read, A Calendar of Wisdom. Like in The Daily Stoic, each day in that book is a meditation on a theme of ancient wisdom which provides insights for self-improvement. In a June entry (published in the early 20th century, but clearly both timeless and very timely), Tolstoy speaks about how to fight evil and improve society.

It doesn’t start with ambitious plans to remake the order of things or with the passing of laws to ban this behavior or that one. On the contrary. “There can be only one way to fight the general evil of life,” he writes. “It is in the moral, religious, and spiritual perfection of your own life.”

The Stoics would have agreed with this, that a more virtuous society begins at home—at our home. If you want the world to be better, improve yourself, for this is entirely in your circle of control. To paraphrase Marcus Aurelius: Don’t talk about what a good person should be like. Be that person. Again, because this is in your control. But also because it is the most compelling argument and the best way to prod others to change. How can you possibly have the gravitas necessary to convince others to be better when you clearly haven’t convinced yourself? How can you fight evil or sin or bad habits in the world when you’re losing the battle at home?


Of course, this is not an excuse to not be politically or charitably active, but it should inform your priorities. Get your life in order. Do the work you need to do. Because it will make the biggest difference and it will give you the platform—the moral high ground—necessary to make a difference for the world.

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

Episoder(2952)

What To Do When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned | Jim Collins

What To Do When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned | Jim Collins

What if the hardest moments in your life aren’t detours but the very things that put you on the right path? In Part 2, bestselling author Jim Collins explains why the moments that derail you are often...

11 Apr 38min

Nothing Can Get In The Way of the Mission | Test Your Impressions

Nothing Can Get In The Way of the Mission | Test Your Impressions

Roles shift. Titles change. But the mission never does.Reading Marcus Aurelius can change your life, but only if you know how to read his work 👉 Head here now to grab your Meditations book and guide ...

10 Apr 7min

This Can Change the Course of Your Life

This Can Change the Course of Your Life

The right book at the right time is a powerful thing. In fact, it can change the whole course of your life.Reading Marcus Aurelius can change your life, but only if you know how to read his work 👉 He...

9 Apr 4min

Make the Most of Your Life | Jim Collins

Make the Most of Your Life | Jim Collins

What if the reason you feel lost has nothing to do with direction and everything to do with the question you’re asking? Ryan sits down with bestselling author Jim Collins to explore the mindset that d...

9 Apr 48min

You Must Learn to See | The Stoic Lesson of Marcus Aurelius' Crumbling Statue

You Must Learn to See | The Stoic Lesson of Marcus Aurelius' Crumbling Statue

We must change our aperture and perspective so that amidst the muddle and puddles of life, we can see what the artist and the philosopher sees.Reading Marcus Aurelius can change your life, but only if...

8 Apr 8min

You Can Skip This Part of the Nightmare | Stoicism, Across the World

You Can Skip This Part of the Nightmare | Stoicism, Across the World

You may well be in the middle of—or in for—a nightmare. But you can skip part of it, the last part…if you choose. Ryan Holiday is coming to a city near you! Grab tickets here | https://www.dailystoic...

7 Apr 10min

It’s Not Only Always Been Like This, It’s Always Been Worse | Trust But Verify

It’s Not Only Always Been Like This, It’s Always Been Worse | Trust But Verify

You live in a time of abundance, medicine, knowledge, and opportunity—things the Stoics could not have imagined in their wildest dreams.🎙️ AD-FREE | Support the podcast and go deeper into Stoicism by...

6 Apr 8min

Real People. Real Tests. Real Stoicism.

Real People. Real Tests. Real Stoicism.

What does Stoicism look like in the moments that matter most? In this episode, Ryan shares listener stories about how this philosophy showed up in their hardest situations and what it changed.👉 Do yo...

5 Apr 19min

Populært innen Business og økonomi

stopp-verden
dine-penger-pengeradet
lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
e24-podden
rss-penger-polser-og-politikk
rss-borsmorgen-okonominyhetene
pengepodden-2
pengesnakk
utbytte
rss-politisk-preik
finansredaksjonen
morgenkaffen-med-finansavisen
tid-er-penger-en-podcast-med-peter-warren
livet-pa-veien-med-jan-erik-larssen
stormkast-med-valebrokk-stordalen
rss-markedspuls-2
rss-pa-konto
rss-sunn-okonomi
lederpodden
rss-investering-gjort-enkelt