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.

Avsnitt(2955)

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

It’s Not a Principle If It Doesn’t Cost You

It’s Not a Principle If It Doesn’t Cost You

Most people think they’d never sell out. Until there’s a number attached. In this episode, Ryan explores real-world examples that reveal what happens when that moment actually comes.🎥 VIDEO EPISODE |...

4 Apr 24min

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

Populärt inom Business & ekonomi

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