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  • Discipline Is Destiny

  • The Power of Self-Control
  • By: Ryan Holiday
  • Narrated by: Ryan Holiday
  • Length: 7 hrs and 23 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (363 ratings)

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Discipline Is Destiny

By: Ryan Holiday
Narrated by: Ryan Holiday
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Publisher's Summary

An inspiring anthem to the power, promise and challenges of self-control, the second in a series examining the timeless Stoic virtues from #1 New York Times bestselling author Ryan Holiday.

The inscription on the Oracle of Delphi says: 'Nothing in excess.' C.S. Lewis described temperance as going to the 'right length but no further.' Easy to say, hard to practice—and if it was tough in 300 BCE, or in the 1940s, it feels all but impossible today. Yet it's the most empowering and important virtue any of us can learn.

Drawing on ancient Stoic wisdom and examples across history and around the world, Ryan Holiday shows why self-control is so vital, and how to cultivate it in our own lives. Moderation is not about abstinence: it is about creativity, self-respect, focus and balance. Without it, even the most positive traits become vices. But with it, happiness and success are assured: it is the only way to live an extraordinary, fulfilled and effective life.

©2022 Ryan Holiday (P)2022 Profile Books Ltd

What listeners say about Discipline Is Destiny

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    4 out of 5 stars

more history than self help

great book, but if you are looking for a "how to" learn self discipline book, this isn't it. instead it's a historical biography of public figures who benefited from having self discipline with some good dust commentary sprinkled through it.

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6 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars

A lot of examples

I may be wrong, but I don't feel motivated by listening success stories of other people. All stories are great, I haven't finished listening yet.

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4 people found this helpful

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Loved it

I was searching a long time for a book focused on discipline. Found it and it surpassed my expectations. Ordered other books by Ryan right after I finished this one. Will definitely read it again in the future.

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Flled with wisdom and lifts my spirit!

Ryan's work to craft this thought provoking and inspiring us to forge ahead, to get up after loss and drive our own mind so it serves us, is exceptional. Thank you Ryan for seeing your goal through. TR Australia 🙏

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  • Ben
  • 19-07-2023

A brilliant listen

Honestly just can’t express enough how important the message shared in this book and this series generally is.
Ryan narrates excellently, his writing is full of good ideas, examples and stories of individuals demonstrating these points in real life.
The writing is direct, to the point, wastes no time and is most importantly, interesting.
Highly recommend all of Ryan Holidays books, but in particular The Daily Stoic, and now this book, Discipline is Destiny.

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Being disciplined is a virtue

The book about self discipline, which connects principles and real life examples. It was great listening to, I'd recommend it

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Great Read

Awesome Book
Inspiring
I can relate to this book based on my own life experience

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Brilliant

Definitely one of my top 5 books I’ve read this year. I encourage everyone to listen with an open mind and heart.

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Inspiring and empowering

Loved it.
When listening to, this audiobook ignites slowly and steadily the fires of responsibility and self discipline. It also feels encouraging and makes you wanting to take action. The foreword is a good example of showing gratitude.
Good to read/listen to one time, every year.
Thank you Ryan for your work.

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Life Changing - IF you take action!

This book is amazing, it has changed my life and I have added many of these teachings into my daily routine and daily joural. For anyone looking to better themselves and whatever they seek in life I highly recommend it.

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  • Wesley Pollard
  • 21-06-2023

As always Ryan never disappoints 👌🏻

Personally Ryan’s perspective always resonate. A bit of repetitions from previous books here and there. This book provoked a lot of introspection.

From Ryan there are always those nuggets of pure gold this book is no different

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  • Anonymous User
  • 04-06-2023

So much to learn, and all useful!

Ryan is fastidious in his writing and as with previous books, has managed to tell, teach and inspire us to incorporate many stoic ideas, values and virtues.
While we know we will never be stoic sages, we can arm ourselves with powerful stoic practices which make us better... all changes everyday, big results in a lifetime.

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  • Raji-san
  • 03-01-2023

Good listen. All in all.

I mean well for Ryan. But he also just borrows and repeats the obvious points made by him many times before.

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  • minicoopers
  • 22-10-2022

Excellent 2nd series

Good explanation of temperance one of the 4th cardinal virtues of stoicism. the author is able to make a mundane topic to something worth reading. success don't come without discipline. about more and having enough

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  • Andrew
  • 27-09-2022

Ryan amazing as always

Great book I love Ryan’s work, have listened to all and this is his best in my opinion!

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  • Adam
  • 11-11-2022

Interesting stories, not how to be disciplined

Even though this book contains interesting stories and examples of being disciplined. It doesn't cover how to be disciplined. I was personally expecting it to cover how the stoics viewed discipline which it only covers very briefly.

It is mostly a book of short stories telling the struggles of what various sportsmen, artists and former world leaders went through which might be inspiring, but I personally don't find very insightful.

A personal view of mine others may not share and goes away from the book to a point :

he kept using Queen Elizabeth as an example of being virtuous and disciplined, which if you look deeply into the royal family's involvement with let's say questionable people including Jimmy Saville. I'll let you fill in the blanks.

He then criticizes JFK and uses negative examples of his character with JFK being one of the few presidents who's actually ever cared for his people, I know this is going away from the book but I think it's relevant as it shows Ryan's views on virtue and people are actually questionable.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 31-10-2023

Exactly what I needed right now

Ryan made me realise what I should be spending my time on. I've spent 10 years of my life studying Animation and games. I've put miles of charcoal and lead on paper and even more miles on digital mediums. I've studied the masters and painstakingly copied their paintings. I've studied anatomy, gesture, landscape painting, colour theory etc. This allowed me to become successful and become the 5% that make it into the industry. However the industry made me unhappy, burnt out, miserable and depressed I always thought discipline was about grinding through the pain and in most cases it is but Ryan has taught me the other side of discipline. It's the side that tells you to be your own friend that it's OK to stop take a minute and rest. Because of this book I have left the industry due to its punishing hours, low pay and shady contracts to pursue a career that allows me to spend more time with my son. I can watch him grow rather than being hunched over a screen. The funny thing is ever since I've left I've become even more passionate about the grind. I'm making art that I want to make and telling stories that I want to tell. I'm not doing it for the likes on social media or the credits I'm doing it for me and it has brought that fire back that has been slowly dwindling out over the past few years. This book really meant alot to me and I am a better artist, person and parent because of it. Thank you Ryan

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  • andrew
  • 24-11-2023

Too much emphasis on historical figures

I listened to 3/4 of this but got really tired of listening to all that certain historical figures managed to achieve during their lives and all their attributes. Whilst I'm not underestimating how amazing these people were, knowing about them doesn't really help me and my issues. I gott bored of listening and couldn't relate this to myself. I guess the only thing that I did learn was about the benefit of getting up very early...but haven't yet achieved this!

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  • Anonymous User
  • 21-11-2023

Praising corrupt politicians

I like the idea of discipline but this book is very strange.

He's praising lots of corrupt politicians that are the opposite of discipline.

The reading is also monotonous.

The whole book could be better in 30-60 minutes without all the unnecessary fluff and praising of corrupt people.

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  • danny burton
  • 10-10-2023

Balance for life

Gives you a calming outlook to not be passive in life but to live it deeper and more fulfilling

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  • Anonymous User
  • 15-09-2023

Game Changer

Massively inspirational, non judgemental and fabulous delivery from Ryan. Even with no love for the monarchy and what they stand for I could see the bigger picture during the chapters surrounding the Queen.

What sets "Discipline is Destiny" apart is its non-judgmental tone. Instead of chastising or guilt-tripping readers for past mistakes, Ryan offers a compassionate perspective. He acknowledges that discipline is a lifelong journey, one where we are bound to falter at times. It's a refreshing departure from the often punitive rhetoric of self-help literature.

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  • Tobias
  • 12-09-2023

About 80% too long

Unfortunately I find with this collection it’s a simple message, somehow spread out into 5 hours.

I would also prefer a different narrator to the author.

BUT saying all this if you like the other ones I have no doubt you will like this too.

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  • Gareth Forward
  • 23-08-2023

First book that wasn’t a grind for me in a while

The afterword was particularly helpful to me but I also really appreciated the soft delivery by the author/narrator.

The examples were things that were so personal and private to the “examplees” it really felt like I was getting some inside knowledge from the greatest people themselves. Marcus Aurelius, Lou Garrig etc.

I loved this book & it’s given me a new ambition to strive for discipline when I needed it the most.

Thank you Ryan 🙏🏼

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 19-08-2023

thank you

thanks you will understand why I am thanking the author after you read the book

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  • Mr. Benjamin J. Hirons
  • 02-07-2023

Good stuff

Very helpful to listen to whilst working out, parenting, doing housework, travelling etc…

A guide to live by, Ryan’s deep immersion into the world of stoicism is apparent and brilliant.

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