Ryan Holiday Quotes

The gift of free will is that in this life we can choose to be good or we can choose to be bad. We can choose what standards to hold ourselves to and what we will regard as important, honorable, and admirable. The choices we make in that regard determine whether we will experience peace or not.

Would you have a great empire? Rule over yourself. — PUBLIUS SYRUS

A degree on a wall means you’re educated as much as shoes on your feet mean you’re walking. It’s a start, but hardly sufficient.

discipline means being disciplined in all things, especially little things.

There is nothing worth doing that is not scary. There is no one who has achieved greatness without wrestling with their own doubts, anxieties, limitations, and demons.

BE RUTHLESS TO THE THINGS THAT DON’T MATTER “How many have laid waste to your life when you weren’t aware of what you were losing, how much was wasted in pointless grief, foolish joy, greedy desire, and social amusements — how little of your own was left to you. You will realize you are dying before your time!” — SENECA, ON THE BREVITY OF LIFE, 3.3b

Success breeds softness.

It also breeds fear: We become addicted to our creature comforts. And then we become afraid of losing them.

If you think there is nothing anyone can teach you, you are not just insufferable - you’re right. You will not learn anything, except the looming and painful lesson of failure.

We’ve all done it. Said: “I am so [overwhelmed, tired, stressed, busy, blocked, outmatched].” And then what do we do about it? Go out and party. Or treat ourselves. Or sleep in. Or wait. It feels better to ignore or pretend. But you know deep down that that isn’t going to truly make it any better. You’ve got to act. And you’ve got to start now.

Every obstacle is an opportunity to get better.

Titles feed the ego. Effort feeds the soul.

Be ruthless to the things that don't matter.

Conning the conmen is one of life’s most satisfying pleasures.

You can’t learn if you think you already know. You can’t get better if you think you are the best.

Remember: No one is having less fun than an overextended, overcommitted person with debtors at their door.