The Daily Stoic Podcast — Episode Summary
Episode Overview
Title: Do Not Delay | Dan Harris & Ryan Holiday on The Pursuit of Wisdom
Date: February 12, 2026
Host: Ryan Holiday (Daily Stoic)
Guest: Dan Harris (10% Happier podcast, author of "10% Happier")
In this episode of The Daily Stoic Podcast, host Ryan Holiday explores the Stoic approach to living urgently and wisely, drawing on the theme "Do Not Delay." He shares historical examples, personal reflections, and a rich conversation segment with Dan Harris centered on the nature, pursuit, and application of wisdom. The discussion weaves together lessons from history, philosophy, and personal growth, providing actionable insight for listeners interested in Stoicism and the broader quest for wisdom.
Main Theme & Purpose
- Urgency of Living: The episode stresses the importance of not postponing meaningful actions, relationships, or experiences, echoing the Stoic principle of memento mori — the remembrance of death as a motivator for living well now.
- Nature of Wisdom: Ryan Holiday and Dan Harris dive deep into unpacking what wisdom truly means, why it’s difficult to define, and how one might pursue it intentionally.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Power of Memento Mori & Not Delaying (00:00–02:44)
- Anecdote of Abraham Lincoln: Lincoln's final wish to visit Jerusalem, unfulfilled due to his untimely death, highlights the unpredictability of life and the need to act on our priorities.
- Quote: “We must live, as Marcus Aurelius said, as if death hangs over us because it does. We cannot put off till tomorrow… what we can do today.” (01:12, Ryan Holiday)
- Stoic Teachings: Reflections from Seneca and Marcus Aurelius on the certainty of death and why that should drive us to action.
- Quote: “All of the future is uncertainty, Seneca said. So live now, live immediately.” (02:29, Ryan Holiday)
- Personal Practices: Ryan shares how he uses a memento mori coin and a piece of a tombstone to remind himself to live with urgency and clarity.
2. Conversation with Dan Harris: Defining and Pursuing Wisdom (05:30–16:16)
- What is Wisdom? (06:29–08:47)
- Wisdom is multifaceted—spanning age, experience, intelligence, wit, and creativity. The more one seeks a clear-cut definition, the less likely it is that one possesses it.
- Quote: “My definition of wisdom is that there is no definition. And to think that there is a clean one sentence definition is probably some sign that whatever wisdom is, you don’t have it.” (07:30, Ryan Holiday)
- The paradox: The truly wise seldom describe themselves as wise, and their journey resists tidy explanation.
- Wisdom vs. Intelligence (09:25–12:41)
- Historical philosophers (Seneca, Socrates) demonstrate the gulf between being learned or smart and being truly wise—particularly when lacking social intelligence or awareness.
- Quote: “Socrates is one of the wisest people who ever lived, and yet he’s obnoxious… If you’re smart, but your intelligence leads you to get sentenced to death avoidably… maybe you’re lacking some element of wisdom.” (11:55–12:41, Ryan Holiday)
- Wisdom as the Parent Virtue (12:41–16:16)
- Wisdom is the foundation from which courage, justice, and temperance flow. One cannot be courageous or just in a meaningful way without wisdom’s guidance.
- Historical Case Studies: Thomas Clarkson and Abraham Lincoln’s deep study and deliberate actions in abolishing slavery illustrate wisdom as the combination of moral clarity, curiosity, and technical competence.
- Quote: “All the other virtues descend from wisdom, because wisdom informs or instructs us on what they are. The cause that you pick is not just informed by wisdom, but then your understanding of how to bring that justice into the world has to be shaped by wisdom.” (13:10, Ryan Holiday)
3. Notable Examples & Paradoxes
- Seneca’s Blind Spots: Highly intelligent individuals can be drawn to the service of tyrants (Nero, in Seneca’s case), showing that wisdom isn’t just a product of smarts or learning.
- The Failure of Social Intelligence: Even the revered Socrates displayed a lack of practical wisdom, failing to read the room in his own trial.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Life’s Uncertainty:
- “No one knows what the future holds. No one knows how much time we have left. So do not delay, do not wish, do not wait. Do it now, while you still have time…” (01:39, Ryan Holiday)
- On Wisdom’s Elusiveness:
- “If you or I were to agree on someone that we both think is wise, and then we asked them…how did you get wise? They would almost certainly not describe themselves in that way…” (08:52, Ryan Holiday)
- On Socrates:
- “He gives such a bad speech…he says, ‘Not only should I not have been convicted, you should give me a pension …’. He’s so annoying that a larger percentage of the jury votes to convict him to death, than voted for his guilt in the first place.” (11:38, Ryan Holiday)
- On Links Between Virtues:
- “Courage in pursuit of a profoundly evil or selfish aim…is obviously not an admirable or a virtuous form of courage. So I think we can say that all the other virtues descend from wisdom…” (13:01, Ryan Holiday)
Important Timestamps
| Timestamp | Segment | Content/Theme | |-----------|-------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------| | 00:00 | Opening | Introduction, urgency of Stoic virtues | | 00:15 | Memento mori anecdote | Lincoln, impermanence, acting with urgency | | 01:12 | Stoic teachings on urgency | Quotes from Marcus Aurelius, Seneca | | 02:29 | Memento mori is not morbid | Live now, create clarity and priority | | 05:30 | Segment intro: Dan Harris conversation | Transition to discussion on wisdom | | 06:29 | Defining wisdom | Wisdom’s complexity and elusiveness | | 07:30 | “No definition” | Holiday’s take on defining wisdom | | 11:38 | Socrates and social intelligence | Intellectual blind spots in wise people | | 12:59 | Wisdom as parent virtue | Relationship between virtues | | 13:55 | Lincoln & Clarkson | Historical examples of wisdom-in-action |
Overall Tone & Takeaways
- Language & Tone: The conversation is reflective, wise, and lightly humorous, often employing historical anecdotes and philosophical insight in accessible language.
- Practical Wisdom: Listeners are urged not only to contemplate the meaning of wisdom but to practice daily urgency—living out Stoic virtues with purpose, clarity, and a readiness not to delay what matters most.
Suggested Actions for Listeners
- Practice Memento Mori: Find a personal reminder (coin, object, note) to recall life’s fragility and act with intention.
- Pursue Wisdom through Action: Focus on consistent self-examination, reading, and action rather than seeking to be recognized as “wise.”
- Integrate the Virtues: Recognize how justice, courage, discipline, and wisdom inform and support each other.
Listen to the full conversation on the 10% Happier podcast for further insights.