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THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Foster curiosity, discernment and life-changing wisdom: book 4 in the bestselling Stoic Virtues series

Wisdom is central to a meaningful life. It gives us perspective, reveals knowledge and guides our path. Without it, our best qualities become our worst: courage turns to foolhardiness, self-discipline to cruelty, justice to empty moralising. We all aspire to be wise – but wisdom is earned.

In this fourth and final instalment of his bestselling Stoic Virtues series, Ryan Holiday uncovers tried and true methods for cultivating wisdom. Drawing on lessons from heroes across history, including Marcus Aurelius, Abraham Lincoln, Maya Angelou and Joan Didion, he shows how to keep an open mind in times of division and disruption; to listen more than we talk; to think with nuance and ruthlessly question our own beliefs. Through cautionary figures like Elon Musk, he shows how dangerous intelligence can be without wisdom – and how we can all escape today’s traps of tribalism, certainty and self-righteousness.

Are you open to listening? Are you willing to question? Are you here to learn? Wisdom is work. But it’s worth it.

Publisher Review

PRAISE FOR THE STOIC VIRTUES SERIES * : * COURAGE IS CALLING
‘An urgent call to arms for each and all of us — Matthew McConaughey DISCIPLINE IS DESTINY
‘Ryan Holiday is a genius — Chris Evans RIGHT THING, RIGHT NOW
‘A message all of us need to hear — Arnold Schwarzenegger WISDOM TAKES WORK
‘Some authors give advice. Ryan Holiday distills wisdom — Cal Newport Perhaps Ryan Holiday’s most profound book that continues to resonate with me months later. So many valuable lessons and ideas. — Robert Greene A deeply thoughtful yet entertainingly readable description of the journey to wisdom by a modern age philosopher. — General Stanley McChrystal, retired US Army general and author of On Character Ryan Holiday is one of his generation’s finest thinkers — Steven Pressfield, author of The War of Art A clear and inspiring guide — Robert Greene A gift to humanity — Dr. Edith Eva Eger Ryan Holiday has helped bring the ancient teaching of Stoicism to millions of readers – from athletes and politicians to CEOs. * Good Morning America * Ryan Holiday is among the most psychologically wise writers I know — Angela Duckworth