Caison Britt’s Reviews > The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living > Status Update

“You say, good fortune used to meet you at every corner. But the fortunate person is the one who gives themselves a good fortune. And good fortunes are a well-tuned soul, good impulses and good actions.” —MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 5.36

“I don’t complain about the lack of time . . . what little I have will go far enough. Today—this day—will achieve what no tomorrow will fail to speak about…” —Seneca, Medea, 423-424

It’s fun to think about the future. It’s easy to ruminate on the past. It’s harder to put that energy into what’s in front of us right at this moment—especially if it’s something we don’t want to do. We think: This is just a job; it isn’t who I am. It doesn’t matter. But it does matter. Who knows—it might be the last thing you ever do. —Holiday

If an actor focuses on public reception of their project—whether critics like it, they will be constantly disappointed. But if they love their performance—and put everything they have into making it the best that they’re capable of—they will always find satisfaction. Like them, we should take pleasure from our actions—in taking the right actions—rather than the results that come from them. —Holiday

“Such as are your habitual thoughts, such also will be the character of your mind..” —Marcus Aurelius

Most rudeness, meanness, and cruelty are a mask for deep-seated weakness. Kindness in these situations is only possible for people of great strength. —Holiday

“Reflect, then, that your ancestors set up those trophies, not that you may gaze at them in wonder, but that you may also imitate the virtues of the men who set them up.” —Seneca

“The raw material for the work of a good and excellent person is their own guiding reason, the body is that of the doctor and the physical trainer, and the farm the farmer’s.” —EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES, 3.3.1

“How much better is it to be known for doing well by many than for living extravagantly? How much more worthy than spending on sticks and stones is it to spend on people?” —MUSONIUS RUFUS, LECTURES, 19.91.26–28

As Musonius Rufus put it, the justification for philosophy is when “one brings together sound teaching with sound conduct.”

Would I be better saying words or letting my actions and choices illustrate that knowledge for me? —Holiday