
Ryan Holiday, Stephen Hanselman
True freedom and unshakeable tranquility come not from controlling the world around you, but from mastering your own mind and reactions to external events.
The foundation of a serene life is learning to distinguish between external events that you cannot change and your internal judgments which you fully control.
Cultivating absolute objectivity allows you to view circumstances without applying destructive emotional labels, robbing misfortune of its power to cause distress.
True strength is demonstrated by acting with justice and kindness toward others, regardless of their behavior or the immediate material rewards.