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Economy of Truth: Practical Maxims and Reflections
No longer available. The upgraded version is called The Sovereign Artist.
190 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 2019
81 people are currently reading
1454 people want to read
About the author
Vizi Andrei
2 books140 followers47% wrong. 25% lucky. Digital branding strategist. Independent researcher. Unemployable. Living in Transylvania.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
November 7, 2019
Great book! It could be improved though.
To be perfectly honest, I was very skeptical about this book. Only very few writers were able to put together good books of maxims and reflections.
The best part about this book is that is not about philosophy per se, but that it has philosophy in it. It's a book that cares about art. It's full of clever illustrations that make you understand and remember the message more effectively.
If I were to update the book, I would focus on the artwork more. Vizi has a lot of potential in respect of that, not that his philosophical side disappointed.
Here are some of my favorite parts:
"Show your anger when needed. People need to know what
irritates you and what doesn’t. But, crucially, remain internally calm.
Your anger is only a tool. Don’t become its puppet."
"In an abundant world, include intermittent fasting in your daily
routine. Don’t apply it only to your body.
Fasting can also be mental, emotional, and spiritual.
Go meditate, write, read, swim or fish.
Turn off your phone; avoid social media; ditch the news.
Defy modern humanity."
To be perfectly honest, I was very skeptical about this book. Only very few writers were able to put together good books of maxims and reflections.
The best part about this book is that is not about philosophy per se, but that it has philosophy in it. It's a book that cares about art. It's full of clever illustrations that make you understand and remember the message more effectively.
If I were to update the book, I would focus on the artwork more. Vizi has a lot of potential in respect of that, not that his philosophical side disappointed.
Here are some of my favorite parts:
"Show your anger when needed. People need to know what
irritates you and what doesn’t. But, crucially, remain internally calm.
Your anger is only a tool. Don’t become its puppet."
"In an abundant world, include intermittent fasting in your daily
routine. Don’t apply it only to your body.
Fasting can also be mental, emotional, and spiritual.
Go meditate, write, read, swim or fish.
Turn off your phone; avoid social media; ditch the news.
Defy modern humanity."
November 6, 2019
This book is for opened minded people who enjoy pushing their own thoughts and beliefs. Through years of work Vizi Andrei has made a compilation of beautifully structured portions of thought that creates your own interpretation of the work.
November 8, 2019
Loved it.
Best part: The “meaning of life” is a very abstract and paradoxically deeply reductionist notion. Although it exists in our human language, it doesn’t mean it should refer to something concrete in the real world – because it doesn’t.
What’s not concrete unsettles humans; hence why we tremble when we ask ourselves the most notorious question of the 21st century: “what’s the meaning of life?!”
You cannot squeeze the meaning of life into a crisp form of wording – or any form of wording at all.
The purpose of living is the very act of living. In other words, life is more about action rather than meaning.
Best part: The “meaning of life” is a very abstract and paradoxically deeply reductionist notion. Although it exists in our human language, it doesn’t mean it should refer to something concrete in the real world – because it doesn’t.
What’s not concrete unsettles humans; hence why we tremble when we ask ourselves the most notorious question of the 21st century: “what’s the meaning of life?!”
You cannot squeeze the meaning of life into a crisp form of wording – or any form of wording at all.
The purpose of living is the very act of living. In other words, life is more about action rather than meaning.
November 7, 2019
You probably won’t agree with many paragraphs from this book, but if you keep an open mind, you’re still going to enjoy it.
I particularly liked 3 chapters: the Hidden Curses of Modernity, Drinking Wine with Seneca, and Seduced by Rationality.
Buy two copies of this book. One for you, and for your best friend.
I particularly liked 3 chapters: the Hidden Curses of Modernity, Drinking Wine with Seneca, and Seduced by Rationality.
Buy two copies of this book. One for you, and for your best friend.
November 25, 2019
A great read.
Thought provoking, mentally challenging and life lessons wrapped up in a much needed spot life on life.
Do I agree with it all?
Will the writer agree with it all in 5 years time?
No, but this is what makes the book so much fun, an opportunity to challenge our thoughts on the world.
Thanks for writing this.
Thought provoking, mentally challenging and life lessons wrapped up in a much needed spot life on life.
Do I agree with it all?
Will the writer agree with it all in 5 years time?
No, but this is what makes the book so much fun, an opportunity to challenge our thoughts on the world.
Thanks for writing this.
November 21, 2019
This book reminds me of "A Calendar of Wisdom" by Leo Tolstoy.
You could use Economy of Truth as a daily tool. Read a bit in the morning, a bit in the afternoon. Read it on the train, on the plane, etc.
This book encourages you to become a polymath.
Here's my favorite part:
"Physicits who only study physics generally happen to be clumsy physicits; as well as philosophers who only read philosophy happen to be foolish philosophers.
You can't bring out the flavour of your mind if you don't aim to establish relationships with disciplines outside of your intellectual comfort zone.
My friendly advice is that politicians should study biology; scientists should read poetry; lawyers should study morality; and economists should study economics."
You could use Economy of Truth as a daily tool. Read a bit in the morning, a bit in the afternoon. Read it on the train, on the plane, etc.
This book encourages you to become a polymath.
Here's my favorite part:
"Physicits who only study physics generally happen to be clumsy physicits; as well as philosophers who only read philosophy happen to be foolish philosophers.
You can't bring out the flavour of your mind if you don't aim to establish relationships with disciplines outside of your intellectual comfort zone.
My friendly advice is that politicians should study biology; scientists should read poetry; lawyers should study morality; and economists should study economics."
November 7, 2019
I wish I could see more artwork. I think of Vizi more like an artist rather than only a writer.
It’s unique to see someone mix together practical and impactful philosophy with clever illustrations. It feels like modern wisdom. It’s a good book now, but I think it could be better. It could stand out.
It’s unique to see someone mix together practical and impactful philosophy with clever illustrations. It feels like modern wisdom. It’s a good book now, but I think it could be better. It could stand out.
December 17, 2019
Instagram motivational quotes meets surface-level philosophy meets format hype for a specific audience. These reflections are teenager 'deep' -
Eg. "To call yourself a 'realistic' person is intensely arrogant and conceited. If you do so, you implicitly claim that you are capable of understanding reality. And, is there a more arrogant person than the one who claims such an impermissible thing?"
AND/WITH
Eg. "Happiness consists of being able to understand yourself; and the reality around you. If you try to do so, you're on the way to being liberated from suffering and misery. This is perhaps the definition of happiness I most resonate with..."
Eg. "To call yourself a 'realistic' person is intensely arrogant and conceited. If you do so, you implicitly claim that you are capable of understanding reality. And, is there a more arrogant person than the one who claims such an impermissible thing?"
AND/WITH
Eg. "Happiness consists of being able to understand yourself; and the reality around you. If you try to do so, you're on the way to being liberated from suffering and misery. This is perhaps the definition of happiness I most resonate with..."
November 10, 2019
Bought this as soon as I saw it became #1 in Meditation and Philosophy (Kindle) on Amazon.
Get the paperback version. It has clever illustrations. Vizi is not only a writer, but an artist.
You should check out his Instagram account too.
Get the paperback version. It has clever illustrations. Vizi is not only a writer, but an artist.
You should check out his Instagram account too.
April 7, 2021
This was so good - loved every page!
Reading this book felt like a mental break from the ongoing pandemic, school, work, and in general, the hassles of life. Admittedly, I was a bit skeptical getting into it — not a lot of authors (in my experience) have been able to construct useful and relevant maxims. Vizi Andrei however, made it more than just useful and relevant - a lot of his maxims felt engineered around actual experience — real life. To put it simply, this book is a concise collection of his thoughts — casual in the delivery, impactful in the meaning. And besides the delivery, the maxims themselves were pretty casual, making for an easy read. Much of the truths mentioned resonates with my specific encounters, adding to their credibility. That said, I think anyone and everyone can relate to Andrei's words — so do pick it up if you have the time. It's a great read.
Side-note: I think this is what Meditations would come out to be, if Marcus Aurelius was born in the 21st century.
Some nuggets of wisdom I saved:
As soon as you leave school, get ready to exchange obedience with curiosity, logic with psychology, risk-management with risk-taking, and theory with experience — otherwise, you won't survive.
Don't worry: you can leave your books unsupervised in any public space — because thieves don't read, and readers don't steal.
I wonder if the successful men who on their deathbeds say "I wish I had more fun" would have become successful men if they indeed had done so.
Reading this book felt like a mental break from the ongoing pandemic, school, work, and in general, the hassles of life. Admittedly, I was a bit skeptical getting into it — not a lot of authors (in my experience) have been able to construct useful and relevant maxims. Vizi Andrei however, made it more than just useful and relevant - a lot of his maxims felt engineered around actual experience — real life. To put it simply, this book is a concise collection of his thoughts — casual in the delivery, impactful in the meaning. And besides the delivery, the maxims themselves were pretty casual, making for an easy read. Much of the truths mentioned resonates with my specific encounters, adding to their credibility. That said, I think anyone and everyone can relate to Andrei's words — so do pick it up if you have the time. It's a great read.
Side-note: I think this is what Meditations would come out to be, if Marcus Aurelius was born in the 21st century.
Some nuggets of wisdom I saved:
As soon as you leave school, get ready to exchange obedience with curiosity, logic with psychology, risk-management with risk-taking, and theory with experience — otherwise, you won't survive.
Don't worry: you can leave your books unsupervised in any public space — because thieves don't read, and readers don't steal.
I wonder if the successful men who on their deathbeds say "I wish I had more fun" would have become successful men if they indeed had done so.
October 4, 2019
A well succeeded attempt at humbly analyzing where action and theory should meet. This book accurately (not objectively!) grasps several historical and contemporary problems arising from humanity’s difficult relationship with its own acceptance and the difficulty people have with acting in accordance with their practically applicable beliefs.
A great read that also gets you thinking about interesting concepts in non-orthodox ways.
A great read that also gets you thinking about interesting concepts in non-orthodox ways.
November 21, 2019
Full of practical insights.
I've been reading it for almost 1 month now. It's quite addictive.
I've been reading it for almost 1 month now. It's quite addictive.
September 8, 2021
This is food for thought manifested, only it’s a buffet.
Economy of Truth raises many intellectual points to ponder, so it’s best read with regular pauses for reflection, introspection, and hypothetical applications.
There were many times I thought “wow, that’s true” and “I never thought of it that way,” but there were also times (though much fewer) when I thought “that’s not right” and “that’s stupid.” And I think that’s the point — to think and find whether we agree or disagree with these maxims, and why. Either way, your brain will feel nicely stretched after the fairly short and easy read.
Economy of Truth raises many intellectual points to ponder, so it’s best read with regular pauses for reflection, introspection, and hypothetical applications.
There were many times I thought “wow, that’s true” and “I never thought of it that way,” but there were also times (though much fewer) when I thought “that’s not right” and “that’s stupid.” And I think that’s the point — to think and find whether we agree or disagree with these maxims, and why. Either way, your brain will feel nicely stretched after the fairly short and easy read.
February 21, 2020
I came across this book after following the author on IG for a bit and appreciating his content. Decided to get a copy and read it with ease, but also in small sections (as Mr. Andrei recommends). It would be too easy to consume all at once, and I agree it is better to savor the maxims more slowly. I have been reading and enjoying philosophy and maxims and lists of wisdom my entire life and have found a way to make a meager living while making time to create and build a library to try to help better the world through my work as a therapist. Yet, still I suffer from distraction and inaction in other ways (see "meager living"). Mr. Andrei gets this predicament! And he gets it at a very young age, which is super impressive. He calls for ACTION alongside all of the philosophy. This book came to me at a time when I am considering branching out into self-employment, brainstorming how I might make my way as a kind rebel among the naysayers and conventional thinkers who dutifully walk the paths governments and corporations are more than happy to show us...paths that are well lit, cleanly paved and obvious. The maxims in this book regularly make me nod my head in agreement. Some of us are made to find new paths, we must do so, but we don't want to disturb the beauty of the scenery as we forge ahead or sideways or backtrack to see what was missed. This book is for us! I read so much (often in fragments from a growing library) and when I recently had an important maxim of my own emerge in mind, I seriously wondered that I might have read it from this book before any others. This is wisdom and it is positive and inspiring. If you like Stoicism, Existentialism, Jung, history, politics, life, love, creativity, and good clear ideas that make you think, then please read this book! And then do what it says, which is act upon your wisdom and grow on down your path.
In case anyone wants to know, my own maxim which I still think I may have accidentally borrowed is: Too much help when we don't really need it enables helplessness, but not enough help when we really do need it enables hopelessness. Best we find the balance between the two and offer and receive help from that balance.
In case anyone wants to know, my own maxim which I still think I may have accidentally borrowed is: Too much help when we don't really need it enables helplessness, but not enough help when we really do need it enables hopelessness. Best we find the balance between the two and offer and receive help from that balance.
January 1, 2020
Beautiful short book.
romans to greeks. Greeks to romans. Such a life changing principle.
romans to greeks. Greeks to romans. Such a life changing principle.
March 7, 2021
Damn. I just had to read this twice. Highest 4 stars I can give (I think it could've been better organized).
This book rephrased a lot of my preconceived notions about truth, risk, action, philosophy, knowledge, creativity, friendship, and courage. And I guess that's part of why I enjoyed it so much. After all, we do seem to enjoy books that reinforce our sense of self and thoughts about reality.
Beyond that, the author's intellectual humility and subtle ambition seep through his writing -- and that deeply resonated with me. He's on a journey towards greater knowledge, truth, and most importantly, action. Aren't we all?
I've compiled a few of my favorite quotes here, but this book is brimming with great thoughts.
- The fact that a modernist building is no longer new in fifty years represents the best evidence that humanity has regressed, rather than progressed when it comes to architecture, beauty, aesthetics, and design.
- Courage: the ability to act well not necessarily in extraordinary circumstances – but in our daily challenges.
- Add a verb to your identity – it keeps you sane; not a pompous noun – which may only boost your ego; it may distract you from your purpose, from the actions you need to regularly take.
- We call “open-minded” only those people who agree with what we agree with and dislike what we dislike. Rarely do we attribute it to people who reject what we believe.
- Reading makes you travel in time; love allows you to stop it; meditation teaches you to feel it; and employment “helps” you squander it.
Good stuff.
This book rephrased a lot of my preconceived notions about truth, risk, action, philosophy, knowledge, creativity, friendship, and courage. And I guess that's part of why I enjoyed it so much. After all, we do seem to enjoy books that reinforce our sense of self and thoughts about reality.
Beyond that, the author's intellectual humility and subtle ambition seep through his writing -- and that deeply resonated with me. He's on a journey towards greater knowledge, truth, and most importantly, action. Aren't we all?
I've compiled a few of my favorite quotes here, but this book is brimming with great thoughts.
- The fact that a modernist building is no longer new in fifty years represents the best evidence that humanity has regressed, rather than progressed when it comes to architecture, beauty, aesthetics, and design.
- Courage: the ability to act well not necessarily in extraordinary circumstances – but in our daily challenges.
- Add a verb to your identity – it keeps you sane; not a pompous noun – which may only boost your ego; it may distract you from your purpose, from the actions you need to regularly take.
- We call “open-minded” only those people who agree with what we agree with and dislike what we dislike. Rarely do we attribute it to people who reject what we believe.
- Reading makes you travel in time; love allows you to stop it; meditation teaches you to feel it; and employment “helps” you squander it.
Good stuff.
March 28, 2020
Can we review this book in one -combound- word?
Life-changer.
Life-changer.
Currently reading
November 25, 2019Vizi Andrei distils the wisdom of the Stoics and garbs it in a contemporary, crisp and highly readable prose. Hugely recommended.
November 12, 2019
Infused with the kind of wisdom we all need in this age of information overload, outrage and the offence-taking culture, written in crisp and unpretentious language.
It's the kind of book one should read, slowly and thoughtfully when reading for the first time, and then maybe re-read it whenever tempers flare and when modernity starts to make you mad.
It's the kind of book one should read, slowly and thoughtfully when reading for the first time, and then maybe re-read it whenever tempers flare and when modernity starts to make you mad.
October 1, 2018
Now I can finally say”yes, there’s a book that talks about it”
Written by a well knowledgeable and an educated writer, Mental medicine is a great book that contain some key ideas with the writer’s opinions and experiences..many critical subjects that will open your eyes to different perspectives..totally a must!
Written by a well knowledgeable and an educated writer, Mental medicine is a great book that contain some key ideas with the writer’s opinions and experiences..many critical subjects that will open your eyes to different perspectives..totally a must!
November 22, 2019
A short manifesto for a good life.
Distilled ideas:
Facta, non verba;
The world is complex;
Life means wilderness, it's all about survival;
Think like a Roman, not like an academic;
Take risks;
Be a good person.
Of course these are oversimplifications. The book has a lot of nuance to offer.
Distilled ideas:
Facta, non verba;
The world is complex;
Life means wilderness, it's all about survival;
Think like a Roman, not like an academic;
Take risks;
Be a good person.
Of course these are oversimplifications. The book has a lot of nuance to offer.
November 7, 2019
It was an intellectual journey through a well read and humble mind.
I definitely recommend people to read it!
Thank you Vizi for taking the time to write this magnificent book!
Best Regards
T. Andreassen
I definitely recommend people to read it!
Thank you Vizi for taking the time to write this magnificent book!
Best Regards
T. Andreassen
Want to read
April 2, 2019Recommend by Jordan Peterson saw on Instagram post 2nd April 2019
June 29, 2019
Great read.
November 8, 2019
Clever, humble, entertaining, pleasurable, practical, addictive.
February 11, 2021
Thoughtful but easily forgettable.
November 28, 2019
I have a feeling that this book will stand the test of time (Lindy).
Vizi wants to encourage us (and himself) to become pensive action-takers.
He draws an analogy that the world should become Greco-Roman, but I believe he's inclined to emphasize that it should be more Roman than Greek (more focus on action rather than theory/thinking).
Economy of Truth is a collection of maxims and reflections; many are his; and many others are inspired by people he admires (Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, Montaigne, Leo Tolstoy, Naval Ravikant, Alain de Botton, Daniel Kahneman, Nassim Taleb etc).
What makes this book different (and perhaps better) than other books on maxims is that Vizi is also an artist. He provides great illustrations which make many hard lessons more digestible.
Vizi wants to encourage us (and himself) to become pensive action-takers.
He draws an analogy that the world should become Greco-Roman, but I believe he's inclined to emphasize that it should be more Roman than Greek (more focus on action rather than theory/thinking).
Economy of Truth is a collection of maxims and reflections; many are his; and many others are inspired by people he admires (Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, Montaigne, Leo Tolstoy, Naval Ravikant, Alain de Botton, Daniel Kahneman, Nassim Taleb etc).
What makes this book different (and perhaps better) than other books on maxims is that Vizi is also an artist. He provides great illustrations which make many hard lessons more digestible.
June 23, 2022
Many high quality aphorisms to be found here. My initial favorites:
"Try to live far below your means for at least one month, and watch how you’re slowly starting to taste freedom."
"You can easily cope with your existence once you realize there's nothing you should cope with."
"In an abundant world – less is more; and more is less."
"The purpose of living is the very act of living."
"Our thinking process is the product of what we read, watch, experience and whom we socialize and hang out with."
"If we attempt to learn about ourselves according to someone else, we learn about them, not ourselves."
"Try to live far below your means for at least one month, and watch how you’re slowly starting to taste freedom."
"You can easily cope with your existence once you realize there's nothing you should cope with."
"In an abundant world – less is more; and more is less."
"The purpose of living is the very act of living."
"Our thinking process is the product of what we read, watch, experience and whom we socialize and hang out with."
"If we attempt to learn about ourselves according to someone else, we learn about them, not ourselves."
November 21, 2019
Although Vizi got inspried by Marcus Aurelius (I think) when writing this book, he rather reminds me of Montaigne.
The book is clear yet profound. It's also very practical on a mental level.
It's surprising that someone so young was able to write such a good book. I find him a bit too arrogant at times though.
The book is clear yet profound. It's also very practical on a mental level.
It's surprising that someone so young was able to write such a good book. I find him a bit too arrogant at times though.
November 22, 2019
Not my favorite book, but a good one.
I loved the Prologue because he explained what maxims and aphorisms aim for. That's quite unique about it I would say. I read a lot of books that approached the same structure, but none of them offered a good introduction. This one did.
Many maxims were deeply invigorating. Some were good. Some were that not good.
I loved the Prologue because he explained what maxims and aphorisms aim for. That's quite unique about it I would say. I read a lot of books that approached the same structure, but none of them offered a good introduction. This one did.
Many maxims were deeply invigorating. Some were good. Some were that not good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews