| The Stoics spoke about kindness. They tried not to get upset. They tried to avoid arguments. But you know what? Sometimes somebody just needed to say something. And sometimes the truth hurts. The Stoics were inspired, shaped, by the example of Diogenes 'the Dog' of Sinope. Diogenes was known for his brutal takedowns—of hypocrites, of fools, of the powerful. It was his example Zeno was following when he eviscerated a pompous student named Aristo after years of tolerating his interruptions and disagreements. It was Diogenes that Agrippinus channeled when he responded to exile with a shrug and dismissal, saying "Ok, we shall take our lunch in Aricia then." It was Diogenes' example that Epictetus was carrying on, also in exile, as he ridiculed conventions and comforts and delusions of his fellow citizens. While they never sought to hurt anyone's feelings, they didn't indulge any pleasant fictions, either. If it was true, they said it. Even if it was uncomfortable. If something wasn't necessary, they dispensed with it, even if that was transgressive or radical. The Stoics had that dog in them—a game one at that. What about you? Does political correctness have you cowed? Are you too deferential? Are you easily fooled by appearances and status? Or do you say what needs to be said? Because philosophy isn't always polite—it's powerful. And the truth? The truth bites. In a world of hypocrites, status worship, and fools masquerading as wise men, we need the clarity and courage the Stoics embodied. We need that Diogenes-like willingness to cut through the noise and speak truth. That's what you'll learn in Stoicism 101: Ancient Philosophy for Your Actual Life. It's a 14-day course that delivers the core principles of Stoicism in a way you can actually apply every day—the same way the Stoics practiced themselves. We'll trace the evolution of Stoicism through Diogenes to its contemporary relevance, examine the historical figures who shaped its core ideas, and connect these ancient principles to the modern experience. In Stoicism 101, we don't just study history—we bridge past and present. The lessons will give you the structure, accountability, and guidance to live what you've been reading. Once a year, we invite you to join us for a LIVE version of the course, where you'll move through the lessons alongside a cohort of Stoics. The 2025 lessons kick off November 10th! Ryan Holiday—author of The Daily Stoic, Discipline Is Destiny, and The Obstacle Is the Way—will be your instructor. He's taught this philosophy to Super Bowl–winning athletes, four-star generals, and people around the world. Now he'll be your teacher for two weeks. Over 14 days in Stoicism 101, you'll get: - 14 custom daily lessons (~20,000 words of content)
- 2 live Q&A sessions with Ryan Holiday
- Access to a private discussion forum
- Access to previous Office Hours recordings
- A printable 14-day practice calendar
- Lifetime access to revisit anytime
Whether you're new to Stoicism or ready to deepen your practice, this course is the best way to build an unshakable foundation. As Marcus Aurelius said, "If you want to learn, be willing to be taught." You've read the philosophy. You've thought about it. Now it's time to live it—confidently, clearly, courageously. The live Stoicism 101 cohort begins MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10th. Join here: https://dailystoic.com/101 Read on DailyStoic.com *** | 
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