The Daily Stoic Podcast

Episode: These Add Up to Greatness
Host: Ryan Holiday
Date: December 10, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Ryan Holiday explores the significance of small, daily actions in cultivating greatness, wisdom, and virtue. Drawing on Stoic teachings and historical examples, he discusses how incremental improvements and routines form the foundation for a good life. He shares practical advice inspired by ancient philosophers—particularly Zeno, Seneca, and Epictetus—highlighting the transformative power of consistent, intentional habits.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Power of Accumulation: Small Steps Leading to Greatness

• George Washington's Favorite Proverb:
  Ryan begins by referencing an old Scottish saying, "Many mickles make a muckle," meaning that many small things add up to something significant.
  Quote:

  "Things add up, even the little ones, even at the pace of one per day." (01:50)

• Stoic Parallels:
  The Stoics believed that wisdom and virtue are the result of countless small decisions: what you read, your routines, daily habits, and who you spend time with.

2. Zeno’s Wisdom on Well-Being

• Small Steps, Big Impact:
  Zeno, founder of Stoicism, reflected that "well-being is realized by small steps."

  "Well being is realized by small steps, Zeno would say, looking back at his life. But it is truly no small thing." (02:30) The point: small efforts, repeated over time, are foundational to a good life.

3. Seneca’s Prescription for the Good Life

• Daily Fortification:
  Seneca advocated for daily mental enrichment and resilience:

  "Acquire something that will fortify you against poverty, against death, indeed, against all other misfortunes." (02:45)
  His advice: After considering many thoughts, choose one to fully digest each day.

• Digest One Thought a Day:

  "One quote a day, he was saying, and sharing. That's the path to getting better and wiser and stronger and more resilient." (03:00)
  This practice not only makes improvement manageable but also sustainable, regardless of one's circumstances.

4. No Barriers to Self-Improvement

• Accessibility of Progress:

  "What excuse do you have for not meeting that goal, for not hitting that benchmark? It's within reach for all of us, no matter how busy or stressed or simple we are, if we decide that it is." (03:17)
  The Stoic philosophy emphasizes that improvement is possible for anyone who makes the choice.

5. Practical Application: The Daily Stoic Calendar

• Concrete Daily Practice:
  Ryan shares his own routine—using the Daily Stoic page-a-day calendar:

  "I have this Daily Stoic page day calendar on my desk...I pull it off each day, I meditate on it, and I put it in my little recycling bin and compost it." (03:30)

• Example of Daily Meditation:

  "Remember that you are an actor in a play," Epictetus says, "playing a character according to the will of the playwright. For this is your duty to perform well the character assigned to you." (03:40) He reflects on how these daily reminders shape his perspective.

• Marcus Aurelius' Reminder:

  "The universe is change. Life is opinion." — Meditations 4:3 (03:54)

• Daily Practice for Everyone:
  He encourages listeners to adopt a similar routine—a daily contemplation to start the day on the right foot.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Small Actions Adding Up:

  "Things add up, even the little ones, even at the pace of one per day. That's what the Stoics believe too." (02:00)

• Seneca’s Daily Goal:

  "Acquire something that will fortify you against poverty, against death, indeed, against all other misfortunes." (02:45)

• Epictetus on Playing Your Role:

  "Remember that you are an actor in a play...your duty to perform well the character assigned to you." (03:40)

• Empowerment and No Excuses:

  "What excuse do you have for not meeting that goal, for not hitting that benchmark?" (03:17)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:50: Introduction of George Washington’s favorite proverb and its Stoic relevance.
• 02:30: Zeno’s lesson on the power of small steps.
• 02:45: Seneca’s advice for daily mental fortification.
• 03:00: The concept of digesting one new thought each day.
• 03:17: The universality and accessibility of this practice.
• 03:30: Ryan shares his daily calendar practice.
• 03:40: Epictetus quote on life as a play and our role within it.
• 03:54: Marcus Aurelius’ quote: “The universe is change. Life is opinion.”

Key Takeaway

Greatness is not achieved through sudden leaps but through the accumulation of small, intentional actions repeated every day. By embracing Stoic wisdom—digesting a single thought, refining a habit, and committing to daily meditation—we lay the foundation for virtue, resilience, and ultimately a good life.

For more Stoic resources and to explore the daily meditation calendar mentioned by Ryan, visit store.dailystoic.com.