The Daily Stoic – "It’s Always Going To Be One-Sided"

Host: Ryan Holiday
Date: February 4, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Ryan Holiday discusses the perennial challenge of living a virtuous life in a world that is often unfair or corrupt. Drawing on historical examples from the Stoic tradition, Ryan explores why choosing integrity, honesty, and principle remains crucial—even when it seems like others disregard these values and are rewarded anyway. Listeners are encouraged to embrace virtue, not for outward success, but to remain true to themselves and prevent moral erosion.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The One-Sided Nature of Virtue

Timestamps: 01:18 – 02:10

• Ryan Holiday opens by addressing a timeless frustration: “You think this is new, that the other side lies, that the other side doesn’t play fair, that the cheaters seem to get ahead?”
• He references the Stoic figures Cato and Rutilius Rufus as examples of people whose integrity in corrupt systems led to personal adversity rather than reward.
  • Cato lived during a time when “elections were literally bought and sold by huge bribes.”
  • Rutilius Rufus was persecuted for his honesty: “His reward for not being corrupt… was being brought up on charges of corruption and convicted.”
• This is used to highlight that the challenge of being honest in a dishonest world is far from new.

2. The Temptation to Abandon Principles

Timestamps: 02:10 – 02:45

• Ryan voices the internal dilemma:
  • “Why should I be honest when no one else seems to be? Why should I play by the rules when others are visibly breaking them? Why should I be respectful or kind or fair when nobody else is?”
• He explains that the Stoic response has two parts:
  1. “Because that’s the only thing you control.”
  2. “Because you prove them right when you discard your principles.”

3. The True Cost of Compromising Virtue

Timestamps: 02:45 – 03:20

• Ryan draws on Marcus Aurelius for guidance:
  • “As Marcus Aurelius said in Meditations, this is really the only way we can be harmed—when we let the actions of others affect our character.”
• He stresses that the pursuit of virtue is not guaranteed to make life easier, more successful, or more rewarding:
  • “This thing that you signed up for, being a person of virtue, was never promised to you as a path to success.”
  • “No one ever said it was the ideal strategy for politics or business.”
  • “But you know what it is? It’s a way to live with yourself.”

4. Living with Yourself & Avoiding Shame

Timestamps: 03:00 – 03:20

• Ryan reflects on personal integrity:
  • “Being honest, holding yourself to account, can hold you back sure, but it also holds you back from shame. Honesty prevents you from having to keep secrets or hoping you don’t get exposed.”
• He sums up the Stoic mission:
  • “We need more Cato’s. We need more Rutilius Rufuses. We need you to be you. Which is to say good and honest and principled, committed, willing to do the right thing even when the right thing is the losing thing.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the timelessness of the dilemma:
  “You think this is new, that the other side lies, that the other side doesn’t play fair, that the cheaters seem to get ahead? … Talk to Cato… Talk to Rutilius Rufus…”
  – Ryan Holiday [01:31]
• On the Stoic answer to unfairness:
  “The Stoic answer here is twofold. One, because that’s the only thing you control, and two, because you prove them right when you discard your principles.”
  – Ryan Holiday [02:00]
• Citing Marcus Aurelius:
  “As Marcus Aurelius said in Meditations, this is really the only way we can be harmed—when we let the actions of others affect our character.”
  – Ryan Holiday [02:48]
• On accountability and shame:
  “Being honest, holding yourself to account can hold you back sure, but it also holds you back from shame. Honesty prevents you from having to keep secrets or hoping you don’t get exposed.”
  – Ryan Holiday [03:10]
• Call to principled action:
  “We need you to be you. Which is to say good and honest and principled, committed, willing to do the right thing even when the right thing is the losing thing.”
  – Ryan Holiday [03:15]

Conclusion

Ryan Holiday closes by encouraging listeners to embody the virtues exemplified by Stoic heroes, even in the face of adversity or apparent unfairness. He reminds us that the true value in living ethically is not in winning or worldly success, but in the peace and integrity that come from staying true to oneself, especially when times are tough.