Your Saturday Stoic Review — Week of February 13 - 19

​ ​ PASSAGE OF THE WEEK: ​The simple life is defined by its simplicity. By its gratitude. By the ability to enjoy whatever is in front of you, whether that's millions of dollars or a nice chicken sandwich. It's not a lack of money that we should we be pursuing, but a lack of angst, a lack of need, a lack of resentment, and a lack of insecurity. — This Isn't The Way To Practice Detachment (Listen) YOUTUBE TAKEAWAY OF THE WEEK: In one of the most watched videos on the Daily Stoic YouTube Channel this week, we share a collection of Seneca's most powerful quotes, including: "We suffer more in imagination than in reality." ​ "Everything hangs on one's thinking…a man is as unhappy as he has convinced himself he is." ​ "As long as you live, keep learning how to live." Watch the full video: Seneca's Most Powerful Quotes​ PODCAST TAKEAWAY OF THE WEEK: ​ In a recent episode of the Daily Stoic podcast, Ryan Holiday speaks with Professor Massimo Pigliucci about his new book The Quest for Character, the unity of the Stoic virtues, the difference between simple bravery and Stoic courage, and the difference between arete and virtue, and the social aspect of virtue and excellence: If we go back to the basics and look at the origins of the words "morality" and "ethics"—for the Greco Romans, those two words mean exactly the same thing…Both words have to do with character and community. So if you look at the etymology of the words, what it means to practice the moral and ethical virtues is to practice a kind of excellence that is other-regarding. It's not about you. You can't do it in a monastery or on a deserted island. It's inherently a social thing. That's what ethics really is: the study of how to solve the problem of how to live harmoniously with other human beings. That's what we're talking about. It's inherently other-directed. Listen to the full episode: Massimo Pigliucci on Why Virtue Matters​ WHAT RYAN HOLIDAY IS READING: "Delay is the greatest remedy for anger. Ask of your anger, at the outset, not to grant forgiveness but to exercise judgment. Its first impulses are harsh ones; it will relent if it waits. And don't try to get rid of it all at once; it will be wholly defeated if it is carved away by pieces." — How to Keep Your Cool: An Ancient Guide to Anger Management by Seneca, translated by James Romm YOUR STOIC WEEKEND REMINDER: Take the trip inside. Like us, Marcus Aurelius must have pined to get away. To a house in the country. To a seaside resort. To visit the far-flung ruins of a city like Athens, whose culture he lived. Clearly, he deserved a break–he had a hard job. Yet from Meditations, we get the sense that he actively resisted this urge. It was his private diary, so he could have written about how much he wanted a vacation and how much he deserved it. But instead, he reminded himself that the best vacations required no vacating. That the best retreats required no retreating. "People look for retreats for themselves in the country, by the coast, or in the hills," Marcus wrote. "There is nowhere that a person can find a more peaceful and trouble-free retreat than in his own mind…So constantly give yourself this retreat, and renew yourself." The next time you feel that urge to get away, to flee the stresses of life with an exotic trip, or even distract yourself from the stress and strain of the day's work by scrolling your phone or scanning your Netflix, catch yourself. Like Marcus, you can get relief here and now. No logistics or money or technology required. Take the trip inside. (For more on this idea, watch this video!) THIS WEEK'S BEST SOCIAL MEDIA POST: ​ EMAIL OF THE WEEK: ​How To Become Rich (Listen) ​ "Asking for help isn't giving up, it's refusing to give up" - Charlie Mackesy Today's email is sponsored by BetterHelp. BetterHelp is on a mission to help people lead happier, healthier lives. Affordable Mental Healthcare is more important than ever, and BetterHelp has enabled over 3.5 million people to get accessible, affordable professional online therapy. Take the quiz to get matched with one of over 25,000 licensed therapists based on your needs and preferences. Once matched, you can schedule your first live session with your therapist via Video, Phone or Live chat. Daily Stoic subscribers get 10% off your first month! Join over 3.5 million people on BetterHelp and get matched to a therapist today. Take the quiz, sign up, and save! ​Unsubscribe | Update your profile | 906 Main Street #274, Bastrop, Texas 78602 ​info@dailystoic.com is not a monitored email