The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living

The Discipline of Action asks people to consider their actions and the motivations behind them, as well as the possible consequences of their actions. Stoics teach that in order to behave properly, people must educate themselves, develop self-awareness, and embody Stoic virtues. Holiday explains that Stoics believe this approach will help make their actions “effective” (4).

Holiday defines the Stoic Discipline of Perception as “how we see and perceive the world around us” (4). Stoics believe that to achieve “mental clarity” (4), it is essential to challenge one’s perspective. For instance, if an unfortunate event occurs, Stoicism urges its observer to not attach any negative emotion or meaning to the misfortune, but to accept it as a part of life. This would help them remain calm and stable, rather than upset or offended by external events.

The Discipline of Will governs the inner life of a Stoic. By following this discipline, people can learn to accept events that they cannot change and understand their role in society. Holiday argues that by embracing the three Disciplines, people will “cultivate resilience, purpose, and even joy” (4).

The Inner Citadel is Epictetus’s analogy for a disciplined and protected mind that cannot be destroyed by outside forces or events. Epictetus taught that only the mind’s own biases could ruin it; he likened these unreasoned thoughts to “tyrants” (275) and told his students to evict them from their minds. Holiday explains that it is everyone’s responsibility to strengthen their own “Inner Citadel” and remain vigilant about their thoughts and actions, since the mind’s stability and efficacy can only be compromised from within.

Oiesis are “false conceptions”—sometimes ones that result from giving in to first impressions rather than taking the time to approach a situation rationally. Stoics warn against succumbing to oiesis: Seneca believed that they can make people “mad” (13) and undermine their choices. Holiday argues that everyone should develop a purpose to direct their actions so they can make rational choices that support their end goal. Without this clarity, Holiday believes people will be more vulnerable to oiesis, feel disordered or dysfunctional, and work aimlessly.

Prohairesis is the Stoic term for people’s ability to make reasoned choices. Holiday frequently refers to this concept, as it is one of the major tenets of Stoicism. Echoing Epictetus, Holiday claims that focusing on prohairesis gives people a “kind of invincibility” (44), since it prevents people from becoming upset about events that are beyond their control.