Meditations
Marcus Aurelius writing to himself, the founding text of practical Stoicism
A Roman emperor writing privately to himself, never for publication, arguing his way back into patience, fairness and perspective. It reads as repetition rather than argument. He was reminding himself of the same handful of things for years on end. Short, cheap and endlessly requoted. Translation matters more here than with most old books, and the Gregory Hays version is the one people point modern readers toward.
People on record
Sorted by strength of stance
Does it: documented as part of their own routine. Recommends: explicitly advises other people to do it. Discusses: covered it substantively without clear personal adoption; this can include criticism or disagreement.
- Ryan HolidayRecommends
Writer · The Daily Stoic
Calls it one of the greatest books ever written and perhaps the only one of its kind, the private thoughts of the most powerful man in the world telling himself to be better. He is specific about the edition: read the Hays translation.
Source: RyanHoliday.net: Books To Base Your Life on (The Reading List)
Aimed at the same thing
Other entries filed under stress or productivity.
- Book$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
The Daily Stoic
366 short Stoic passages with modern commentary, one per day
On record from 4 of 62 tracked people: 3 recommend it, 1 has discussed it - Book$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
The Almanack of Naval Ravikant
Collected thinking on wealth, specific knowledge and happiness
On record from 3 of 62 tracked people: 3 recommend it - Book$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Ego Is the Enemy
Ryan Holiday on the ways self-importance wrecks aspiring, succeeding and failing
On record from 2 of 62 tracked people: 2 recommend it - Book$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Slow Productivity
Do fewer things, work at a natural pace, obsess over quality
On record from 2 of 62 tracked people: 1 recommends it, 1 has discussed it - Book$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Clear Thinking
Parrish on the ordinary moments where a decision is really made
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 recommends it - Book$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Effortless
Make the most essential activities the easiest ones to do
On record from 1 of 62 tracked people: 1 recommends it
Book entry · notes paraphrased from cited sources, quoted excerpts copied from the transcript they link to. Not medical advice. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or reviewed by anyone listed. How this works.