Be Severe Only With Yourself
The Daily Stoic24 Okt 2018

Be Severe Only With Yourself

One of the things that separates us from other people--indeed that has been responsible for our success--is our ability to be strict and self-disciplined. Where other people are fine making excuses or taking shortcuts, we are not. Where other people wing it or do what’s easiest, taking the path of least resistance, we don’t. That’s really the essence of Stoicism and why those of us who have committed to doing the hard work have been able to get so much out of it.

But it can be a problem when people like us come into positions of leadership or become fathers and mothers. Suddenly it’s not just our own behavior we’re regulating, we’re now responsible for other people as well. It’s tempting to try to hold them to the very same standards we hold ourselves to, but this is not only unfair (they didn’t sign up for that), it’s often counterproductive. It burns people out, and it sets you up for disappointment. Or worse, disillusionment.

This observation from Marcus Aurelius’s most thoughtful biography, by Ernest Renan, explains the right way to do it.

“The consequence of austere philosophy might have produced stiffness and severity. But here it was that the rare goodness of the nature of Marcus Aurelius shone out in all its brilliancy. His severity was confined only to himself.”

That’s exactly the key. Your standards are for you. This philosophy is about your self-improvement. It’s about being strict with yourself and forgiving of other people. That’s not only the kind way to be, it’s the only effective way to be. It’s the only defense to being constantly upset and let down.


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

Avsnitt(2951)

Do This to Capture the Magic for Yourself | What Can Go Wrong...Might

Do This to Capture the Magic for Yourself | What Can Go Wrong...Might

It should be the easiest book in the world to read. And yet…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 g...

3 Apr 8min

This is the Main Thing | Ask Daily Stoic

This is the Main Thing | Ask Daily Stoic

The Stoics appreciated success, but it wasn’t something they coveted. It may have impressed others, but it wasn’t how they defined themselves.Ryan Holiday is coming to a city near you! Grab tickets he...

2 Apr 13min

BONUS | Books You Can Finish In One Sitting (And Actually Remember)

BONUS | Books You Can Finish In One Sitting (And Actually Remember)

Most people don’t finish what they start, especially when it comes to books. In this episode, Ryan shares a curated list of books you can read in a single sitting.👉 Sign up for Ryan’s free monthly re...

1 Apr 8min

How Can This Improve Your Life? | The Color of Your Thoughts

How Can This Improve Your Life? | The Color of Your Thoughts

Why has Meditations by Marcus Aurelius endured and influenced across so many centuries? And what makes its ancient wisdom still relevant to the modern problems we face today?Reading Marcus Aurelius ca...

1 Apr 8min

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 Mars 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 Mars 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 Mars 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 Mars 16min

Populärt inom Business & ekonomi

framgangspodden
varvet
rss-jossan-nina
rss-svart-marknad
svd-tech-brief
badfluence
rss-borsens-finest
uppgang-och-fall
avanzapodden
bathina-en-podcast
fill-or-kill
tabberaset
24fragor
rss-kort-lang-analyspodden-fran-di
rss-dagen-med-di
lastbilspodden
kapitalet-en-podd-om-ekonomi
borsmorgon
rss-inga-dumma-fragor-om-pengar
rss-veckans-trade