Wisdom Takes Work

Learn. Apply. Repeat.

By: Ryan Holiday

Narrated by: Ryan Holiday

In this much-anticipated final installment in the Stoic Virtues series, Ryan Holiday makes the case for the virtue on which all other virtues depend.

Of all the stoic virtues - courage, discipline, justice, and wisdom - wisdom is the most elusive. This is especially apparent in an age where reaction and idle chatter are rewarded, and restraint and thoughtfulness are unfashionable. The great statesman and philosophers of the past would not be fooled, as we are, by headlines or appearances or the primal pull of tribalism. They knew too much of history, of their own flaws, of the need for collaboration to do any of that. That's wisdom - and we need it more than ever.

Wisdom is Ryan Holiday's guiding principle, and Wisdom Takes Work is the culmination of all his work. Drawing on fascinating stories of the ancient and modern figures alike, Holiday shows how to cultivate wisdom through reading, self-education, and experience. Through the lives of Montaigne, Seneca, Joan Didion, Abraham Lincoln, and others, Holiday teaches us how to listen more than we talk, to think with nuance, to ruthlessly question our own beliefs, and to develop a method of self-education. He argues convincingly for the necessity of mental struggle and warns against taking shortcuts that deprive us of real knowledge. And he shows us how dangerous power and intelligence can be without the tempering influence of wisdom.

An absence of curiosity and prudence is a catastrophe for all of us, argues Ryan Holiday. This incredibly timely book both diagnoses the greatest problem of our current moment and offers solutions for the way forward. Wisdom is work - but it's worth it.

Critic reviews

“A deeply thoughtful yet entertainingly readable description of the journey to wisdom by a modern age philosopher. I wish Ryan Holiday had written it, and I’d read it, when I was twenty. Now I hope everyone does.” —General Stanley McChrystal, retired US Army and author of On Character

Great insight.

Entertaining, practical and engaging read. Wish I would’ve read this at a younger age. Great gift idea for any age.

Elon bad others good

This book was more about how bad Elon became than Wisdom. No my favorite work by Holiday.

It gets better

The first quarter felt way more new age than Ryan normally writes. He’s back into a more familiar and better pattern of writing for the rest. If you like his books it’s worth the read.

loved the book ❤️

I loved hearing peoples stories. I feel that you made there examples easy to understanding and applicable to my life. I 've already tried out a few things I learned. Just loved it. I want to go over the book again. Ryan Thanks for all you've done to help people be better. You are so Loved by so many people. 💖 peace and love, Susan Ryan

Excellent Time To Spend With A Great Friend

Narration was excellent, the examples were very appropriate.
This book is as good as all of Ryan’s others. I have given his others as gifts to my grandsons. They are teens and need to learn these lessons. Ryan always come through.
Can’t wait for the next one