How to Be a Stoic by Massimo Pigliucci Summary
Overview of How to Be a Stoic
Discover ancient Stoicism for modern chaos in Pigliucci's bestseller that helped countless readers navigate pandemic anxiety. What wisdom from 2,000 years ago makes Ryan Holiday and stressed professionals alike turn to this philosophy? Control what you can - let go of the rest.
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Key takeaways
The Timeless Wisdom of Stoicism: Ancient Philosophy for Modern Life
What if the secret to a meaningful life was discovered over two thousand years ago? Stoicism has experienced a remarkable renaissance recently - tech CEOs practice morning Stoic meditations, NFL teams incorporate its principles into training, and celebrities cite its ideas as guiding influences. This ancient philosophy offers something our anxiety-ridden, distraction-filled modern world desperately needs: a practical framework for living well despite life's inevitable challenges. Born in Athens around 300 BCE when a shipwrecked merchant named Zeno discovered philosophy and founded a school under the Stoa Poikile (painted porch), Stoicism evolved through centuries of practice. For our journey, we'll follow Epictetus - born a slave around 55 CE, who studied under renowned Stoic teacher Musonius Rufus before establishing his own school. Despite never writing anything himself, his lectures were transcribed by his student Arrian into the Discourses we use today. His sensitivity, intelligence, dark humor, and occasional disagreements with modern perspectives make him the perfect guide to demonstrate how Stoicism can flex across vastly different eras and contexts.
Core Principles: Control, Social Nature, and the Middle Path
Philosophical Inclusivity and Character Development
Resilience Through Adversity: Modern Stoics in Action
Embracing Mortality: The Key to Living Fully
Living Stoicism: Daily Practices for a Flourishing Life
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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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