Book Ponder

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Epictetus

April 17, 2024

Master Control: 8 Lessons From Epictetus

Epictetus’ “Discourses and Selected Writings” emphasizes using resources to solve problems, seeking personal approval, confronting fears, applying knowledge, being humble, and maintaining stillness. Continue reading

Autodidacts, Blog, Book Reviews, Books, Classics, Epictetus, Lessons Learned, Stoicism

Blog, Book Ponder, Book Reviews, Books, Epictetus, Lessons Learned, Marcus Aurelius, Philosophy, Reading, Ryan Holiday, Stoic, Stoicism
January 22, 2024

Mastering Life: 9 Lessons From Lives of the Stoics

“Lives of the Stoics” by Ryan Holiday explores stoic philosophy emphasizing endurance, self-restraint, and action over talk, offering practical wisdom. Continue reading

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Book Ponder, Books, Epictetus, Lessons Learned, Marcus Aurelius, Philosophy, Reading, Ryan Holiday, Seneca, Stoicism
January 22, 2024

When to Take a Stand

Epictetus advises standing by wise decisions and not fearing misunderstanding. Reliability, growth mindset, and emotional control facilitate taking a stand. Continue reading

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Book Ponder, Book Reviews, Books, Discipline is Destiny, Epictetus, Lessons Learned, Marcus Aurelius, Philosophy, Reading, Ryan Holiday, Seneca, Stoicism
January 22, 2024

Make Use of What You’ve Learned

In a world of abundant knowledge tools, action trumps consumption. Create, apply, and leave a lasting legacy. Don’t just consume. Continue reading

Blog, Epictetus, Learning, Philosophy, Stoicism

Book Ponder, Books, Epictetus, Learning, Philosophy, Reading, Stoicism
January 22, 2024

Be Wary of Your Associations

The reason why the Jim Rohn quote “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time around” is so popular, is because it’s true. In The Art of Living by Epictetus, he has a similar quote about being wary of the individuals you associate with. “Other people’s views and troubles can… Continue reading

Blog, Books, Discipline, Epictetus, Family, Lessons, Philosophy, Quotes, Relationships, Social, Stoicism

Book Ponder, Book Reviews, Books, Epictetus, Lessons Learned, Philosophy, Reading, Relationships, Social, Stoicism
January 10, 2024

Step Forward

The quote from Epictetus encourages action over mere knowledge accumulation to truly embody learning. Continue reading

Blog, Epictetus, Quotes, Stoicism

Book Ponder, Books, Epictetus, Philosophy, Reading, Stoicism
December 28, 2023

Top 22 Lessons Learned from The Daily Stoic

The Daily Stoic is a daily devotional by Ryan Holiday that has a new piece of advice for life from the stoics everyday. Last year I read The Daily Laws by Robert Greene and in 2024 I plan to read The Daily Dad also by Ryan Holiday and The Daily Pressfield by Steven Pressfield. The… Continue reading

Book Reviews, Epictetus, Lessons Learned, Marcus Aurelius, Philosophy, Ryan Holiday, Seneca, Stoicism

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Philosophy, Ryan Holiday, Stoicism

About Me

Welcome to Book Ponder. I have enjoyed reading and writing for the majority of my life. I work for a hands-on blue-collar job, but consider myself a lifelong learner on the side. I enjoy reading many of the classics but also read something new if it’s recommended to me. I take extensive notes and save great quotes when I read and I plan to share those with you while also extracting lessons we can learn. I believe we can use the past to guide our future. I will try to post a couple of times a month, you can sign up for my newsletter with updates on new posts. I will never spam you, I hope to hear from you soon.