Podcast Summary: The Daily Stoic

Episode: This Was Washington’s Philosophy | Power Fades. Character Leads.
Host: Ryan Holiday
Date: February 16, 2026

Episode Overview

This special President’s Day episode explores the deeper philosophical principles that have guided some of America’s greatest leaders, particularly George Washington, Jimmy Carter, and Abraham Lincoln. Host Ryan Holiday bridges the ancient wisdom of Stoicism with more modern examples of leadership, focusing on how character, virtue, and purpose transcend power and ambition. Through historical stories and memorable anecdotes, Holiday emphasizes that true leadership—and greatness—are fundamentally anchored in character and justice, not the pursuit of power for its own sake.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. George Washington and the “Calm Lights of Mild Philosophy”

[06:30–10:00]

• Washington’s Guiding Philosophy:
  Ryan explains that Washington was deeply inspired by the Stoic play Cato by Joseph Addison, quoting it repeatedly in letters.
  • Quote (Washington, via Holiday): “I shall view the busy world in the calm light of mild philosophy and with that serenity of mind which the soldier in his pursuit of glory and the statesman of fame have not time to enjoy.” [07:45]
• Application in Crisis:
  Washington used this principle during intense moments, such as talking down mutinous troops, advocating for reason and self-control over impulse.
• Stoic Context:
  Ryan connects this to the Stoic principle of using reason to temper emotions, referencing both Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius.

2. The Stoic Virtue of Justice – The Example of Jimmy Carter

[10:01–29:07]

• The Question of Greatness:
  Ryan asks: should we assess presidents by their political success or the quality of their character?
  • Quote (Holiday): “Was he a great president is a politically charged question. Was he a great man is the more interesting one.” [12:00]
• Carter and the Virtue of Justice:
  • Carter lived by the principle: “Do what is right.” Ryan highlights that justice, a cardinal Stoic virtue, should be the “North Star.”
• Early Life & Commitment to Integrity:
  • Carter’s elementary school teacher, Miss Coleman: “We must adjust to changing times and still hold true to unchanging principles.” [14:30]
• Stories Illustrating Carter’s Character:
  • Showed kindness at the Naval Academy to a classmate after suicide of the roommate (inviting him to share his room).
  • Acted as an ally to Wes Brown, the first Black graduate of the Academy, supporting him during racist hazing.
    • Quote (Holiday recounting Carter to Brown): “Not to let them get him down and not to let them drive him out.” [20:10]
  • Stood for racial equality during naval service by refusing to attend a segregated event with crew.
• The Transformative Rickover Interview:
  • Admiral Rickover’s pivotal question: “Did you always do your best?”
    • Carter answers honestly: “No sir, I didn’t always do my best.”
    • Rickover’s follow up: “Why not?”—a question Carter would carry the rest of his life. [23:40]
• As Governor and President:
  • Opened his inaugural address by declaring: “The time for racial discrimination is over.” [25:41]
  • Story of Mary Prince, a wrongly convicted woman who became the Carters’ nanny and lifelong family friend.
• Carter’s Marriage as Model Partnership:
  • Married to Rosalynn Carter for 77 years, notable for faithfulness and mutual support.
  • Carter’s confession to Playboy (“lust in his heart—not in fact”), highlighting his commitment to self-scrutiny and humility, not superiority.

3. Unheralded Heroism: Jimmy Carter and the Nuclear Incident

[29:07–31:05]

• Historic Event:
  Carter, as a young naval officer, helped avert a meltdown at Canada’s Chalk River nuclear reactor.
  • Had just 90 seconds inside the reactor at a time; teams rehearsed the repair, risking their lives.
  • Quote (Guest): “It’s insanely heroic…so completely diametrically opposed to all our popular perceptions of Jimmy Carter.” [30:12]

4. The Wisdom and Character of Abraham Lincoln

[31:05–43:32]

• Why Lincoln?
  • Holiday’s favorite president for wisdom and character.
• Tolstoy’s Story:
  • Tolstoy tells remote villagers about world leaders; they most revere Lincoln for “the moral fiber of his being.” [34:14]
    • Quote (Tolstoy, via guest): “His greatness consisted altogether in his character and the moral fiber of his being.” [34:53]
• Lincoln’s Peculiar Ambition:
  • Sought to be “esteemed by his fellow man…by doing something worthy.”
• Moral Decisions in Crisis:
  • Lincoln refused to compromise emancipation even when political advisors urged him—“I’d be damned in time and eternity if I returned the black warriors to slavery.” [37:00]
• Ambition for the Greater Good:
  • Lincoln shows it’s not just power, but purpose and principle beneath power that matter.

5. The Fusion of Principle and Pragmatism

[40:20–43:32]

• Lincoln’s Unique Blend:
  • Combined moral clarity with political skill and self-education.
  • Learned military strategy from books, had the humility to learn from subordinates, and wasn’t afraid to admit what he didn’t know.
  • Quote (Holiday): “The confidence to say, ‘On the one hand, I don’t know enough about this,’ and then to do the work to learn about it and then to not be bullied by this person who is, you know, objectively more educated than you or more schooled than you in the issue.” [43:17]

6. Humor as a Leadership Tool

[47:19–50:15]

• Lincoln’s Humor:
  • Used humor to disarm, connect, and cope with stress and depression.
    • Quote (Holiday): “If I don’t laugh, I would die.” [48:16]
  • Humility in humor: often the jokes were at Lincoln’s own expense, never as a weapon against others.
  • Quote (Guest): “The main victim of Lincoln’s jokes was himself.” [49:19]
• The Necessity of Cheerful Leadership:
  • Movements lacking humor become brittle and exclusionary; joy and humanity are essential for real connection and success.

7. Disciplined, Stoic Leadership: JFK and The Cuban Missile Crisis

[50:49–52:30]

• JFK’s Self-Control in Crisis:
  • Faced with the Cuban Missile Crisis, most advisors demand immediate, aggressive action.
  • Kennedy’s Stoic patience and foresight—thinking not just of the first strike, but the many steps of escalation—prevented nuclear catastrophe.
  • Quote (Holiday, paraphrasing JFK): “I think you guys are wrong, but I’m worried you’re so wrong that no one’s going to be around to say, ‘I told you so.’” [51:30]
  • “Leadership isn’t just about a title. It’s ultimately about character.” [52:30]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Washington’s Stoicism:
  “I shall view the busy world in the calm light of mild philosophy…” [07:45]
• Carter’s guiding lesson:
  “We must adjust to changing times and still hold true to unchanging principles.” [14:30]
• Rickover’s question to Carter:
  “Did you always do your best?” “No sir, I didn’t always do my best.” “Why not?” [23:40]
• Lincoln as greatest leader (via Tolstoy):
  “His greatness consisted altogether in his character and the moral fiber of his being.” [34:53]
• On the power of humor for leadership:
  “If I don’t laugh, I would die.” [48:16]
• JFK’s discipline:
  “I’m worried you’re so wrong that no one’s going to be around to say, ‘I told you so.’” [51:30]
• Ryan Holiday’s episode thesis:
  “Leadership isn’t just about a title. It’s ultimately about character.” [52:30]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Washington’s Philosophy and Cato: 06:30–10:00
• Cardinal Virtues and Jimmy Carter: 10:01–29:07
• Carter’s Nuclear Heroics (with guest): 29:07–31:05
• Lincoln, Tolstoy, and Character: 31:05–43:32
• Lincoln’s Humor and Leadership: 47:19–50:15
• JFK and the Cuban Missile Crisis: 50:49–52:30

Tone and Language

Ryan Holiday maintains a thoughtful, engaging, and slightly reverential tone, blending storytelling with analysis. Guest contributions are conversational, contemplative, and sometimes humorous—mirroring the warm and reflective nature of the episode.

Summary

This episode reframes America’s presidential history through the Stoic lens, emphasizing that the enduring greatness of figures like Washington, Carter, and Lincoln is less about power or reputation and more about enduring virtue and deep character. By sharing illustrative anecdotes and historical moments, Holiday shows how classical principles—especially justice, self-scrutiny, humility, and humor—are the real legacy of leadership.

The message: As power fades, it is character—and the calm lights of mild philosophy—that lead, endure, and inspire across generations.