We Admire The Struggle
The Daily Stoic6 Sep 2019

We Admire The Struggle

It was not lost even on the Stoics that some parts of this philosophy come more naturally to some people than others. Some folks just seem chill by default. Some are so-called “old souls” who have wisdom and perspective, almost from birth. Others were not blessed (or cursed) with ambition or opportunities, and so there is very little challenge going on in their life anyway.

Good for them. That’s their lot in life. It’s not ours. It certainly wasn’t Seneca’s.

The rest of us have to struggle. We struggle against our impulses. We struggle to really internalize these teachings. We are struggling to manage our tempers or the envy that creeps up out of nowhere, into our souls, and then out through our hands and mouths as deeds we wish we could undo. It’d be nice if we didn’t have to struggle so much, but we do.

And yet, this struggle—and the triumphs over it, however temporary—that is what’s impressive about us. Seneca wrote that he doesn’t admire the person who has it easy, who is naturally Stoic. No, he admires the man “who has won a victory over the meanness of his own nature, and has not gently led himself, but has wrestled his way, to wisdom.” Seneca reserved his deepest appreciation for the person who’d survived the crucible of ego, who’d navigated the gauntlet of envy and pride, who’d walked through the shadow of the valley of death, but with himself as his own shepherd.

Today, we must continue to wrestle. We must continue to struggle and fight for victory. It won’t be easy—it never is—but that’s the whole point. It’s the man in the arena that we admire. It’s the one covered in dust and sweat that matters. And that’s who we are.


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

Episoder(2955)

Live Now, While You Still Can

Live Now, While You Still Can

We only get one life. Once time ticks by, it never comes back.🎙️ AD-FREE | Support the podcast and go deeper into Stoicism by subscribing to The Daily Stoic Premium - unlock ad-free listening, early ...

31 Mar 2min

The Perspective Shift I Had in Australia (A Stoic Lesson)

The Perspective Shift I Had in Australia (A Stoic Lesson)

Why does everything feel so much worse when it’s happening close to you? In this episode, Ryan shares a simple shift he noticed while traveling in Australia that changed how he sees the news, stress, ...

31 Mar 35min

Don’t Let It Do This To You | Stoicism Meets Major League Baseball

Don’t Let It Do This To You | Stoicism Meets Major League Baseball

Deserved or not, preventable or not, you’re at the mercy of fate, of the market, of a mob.📚 Book Mentioned: Ask the Dust by John Fante🎥 Watch this episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGGf...

30 Mar 17min

12 Stoic Remedies for When Life Feels Heavy

12 Stoic Remedies for When Life Feels Heavy

The Stoics knew life could be heavy, that loneliness, frustration, and heartbreak were part of the deal. They also knew something most people miss: if your thoughts shape your life, changing them can ...

29 Mar 16min

Arthur Brooks’ Ultimate Philosophy Masterclass (PT. 2)

Arthur Brooks’ Ultimate Philosophy Masterclass (PT. 2)

What did Epicurus, Buddha, and Viktor Frankl understand about meaning that most people never question? In Part 2 of this masterclass, bestselling author and Harvard professor Arthur Brooks joins Ryan ...

28 Mar 48min

Are You Willing To Be Cut Off? | Say No To The Need To Impress

Are You Willing To Be Cut Off? | Say No To The Need To Impress

Where is our bravery? Where will we draw the line? What will we put on the line?📕 If today's episode resonates with you, check out Courage is Calling by Ryan Holiday | https://store.dailystoic.com/�...

27 Mar 7min

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 Mar 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 Mar 2min

Populært innen Business og økonomi

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