'Andrew Tate Is Not A Good Man!' - Why Men Should Admire Marcus Aurelius Instead | Ryan Holiday

We have held a lot of conversations exploring both the red pill and blue pill communities. Between the dating crisis, the mating crisis and toxic masculinity being metaphorically spray-painted over every masculine-centric conversation, we’re here for more incredible conversations that move the narrative forward and extrapolate the best ideas so that you can start to unpack and think through masculinity in a novel way that empowers you and the men in your life.

Today, I have repeat guests and one of our fan favorites, Ryan Holiday joining me to weigh in on the discussion and orient us around how the stoic philosophies of Marcus Aurelius stand to the ideology of Tate and the red pill community’s narrative.

Do YouTubers and influencers hold the key to masculinity, not being taken for weak or unsuccessful? Or does Marcus Aurelius and the ancient stoic philosophers have more to teach us on the idea of true masculinity, strength and control.

This episode pushes you for answers many of these YouTubers and Influencers are reaching beyond truth to answer. Ryan Holiday lays out the following key points and so much more you cannot miss:

- 4 Stoic Virtues the Red & Blue Pillers Can All Build Their Life Around
- The True Essence of Power and Masculinity (Are you aligned with the algorithm or actual fulfillment in your life?)
- How Only Fans Has Made Slaves of Men’s Values & Beliefs
- ‘Stoics never cry’ and therefore neither should men is bullsh*t
- What you need to know about yourself to not get red-pilled
- The social media distortion that’s got you too dizzy to aim at anything

If you’ve pondered “valid” points from the red or blue pill communities, how has it shaped your view of masculinity and what are you externally looking to for guidance on how to be a man that knows truth and power for himself? If you’re a woman in this space, how has this shaped the conversations with the men in your life?

RYAN HOLIDAY STOIC TRUTH BOMBS:

"It's great to be driven to try to do things. But the Stoics would say, are those things driving you or are you driving them right? Or what are you a slave to? Who's actually in control of your life?”

“You can't control what happens to you, but you can control how you react.”

“You control who you are right now, what you do in this moment, and the decision to be a responsible adult.”

“I'm not going to blame other people for the fact that I am undesired, that I am unhappy, that I am unsuccessful.”

“In life momentum is an incredible thing and oftentimes we despair of some destination, some far off change or transformation because we don't see how we're going to get there when really we should be focused on what the most immediate, attainable, realistic next thing is.”

“The awkwardness of being bad or not visibly successful at a thing is a very underrated skill.”

“They want that outcome, but they're totally paralyzed and intimidated by the process of being a nobody at that thing for a long period of time”

"We say men shouldn't be emotional, but we are very indulgent of men's tempers, [...] I've never lost my temper and then been proud afterwards.”

“I think of Stoicism as a philosophy, I do think about it as something that's not masculine or feminine, but that it's something human.”

“The practice of looking for a reason or looking for something to understand or pity even in other people is a practice I've taken out of being a parent.”

“Being the person who is principled and strict is what matters, and what's right and wrong is important, but so is compromise and collaboration.”

“If you don't know what your values are, if you don't know what you stand for, if you don't know what you're trying to get to, and then you're just scrolling on your phone, then the algorithm is just serving you up what's most engaging.”

“I didn't build this audience to not say what I think. I built the audience by saying what I think needs to be said, and that's what I have to keep doing. Otherwise I don't have the audience. The audience has me.”

Follow Ryan Holiday:

[gerryandthegretsch]

This is an awesome discussion. It has revealed so much to me why I am what I am. Why I have been on this unknown journey of discovery. Why I have found myself so like not belonging on this planet. I have always thought there must be something wrong with me but deep within myself I wouldn’t bend to expectations regardless. One of my singles “This is me”, was all about me being me. Not bowing to societal expectations.

[markbouvierjr.]

ILOVED the portion on incels. I was in an accident that left me paralyzed on half of my body, but instead of dwelling on it, I learned to focus on it and make it my strength, at that point I started getting more dates than ever before I was injured. The obstacle IS the way!

[alexisgilmete]

I am a huge fan of Tom Bilyeu. He brings great content and I always learn. This conversation is a perfect example. Ryan Holiday is a gift and I appreciate all of his work. They say you need to be careful who you spend time with because you will be like them. I chose to listen to and absorb Impact Theory because I want qualities like Tom and his guests. This conversation was outstanding. Thank you

[DaveJos]

I respect Ryan's perspective on what he does this podcast helped me find my Northstar better at 39 than never thanks

[InspiringKeynoteSpeakers]

Ryan's thought about embracing being unknown connects with Stoicism's idea of focusing on small steps for growth, showing how being strong is more important than quick success.

[DCDNT]

This is an absolutely phenomenal discussion full of wisdom, great relevant historical anecdotes and actionable advice. Thanks.

[EncryptedHuman]

I just discovered Impact Theory and Ryan Holiday...and wow, my mind is blown! Listening to two intelligent guys talk about such a profound subject makes me really want to start learning more about these ancient scholars. Some people say the world may be going downwards, but I disagree. Content such as this is changing lives and inspiring people to be the best versions of themselves!

[trazzpalmer]

The banking situation is a reminder that Fed hikes are having an effect, even if the economy has held up so far, ” It’s precisely at times like these that investors need to be on guard against the next certainty. First SVB, then signature bank and now first republic bank, these are all the signs of yet another 2008 market crash 2.0. I'm worried about my retirement savings of about $850K losing value because of high inflation. Where else can we keep our money?

[stephenmorton]

Bro, you're an absolutely amazing person because she chose you. And she must be an equally amazing person because you chose her. You can't imagine how much I appreciate your input. Thank you. I've been married 18 years this month to the same awesome woman I first married. You and I have a lot in common in that realm.

[StoicPhilosophyLessons]

"When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive—to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love." - Marcus Aurelius

[loftonrudolph]

Ryan Holiday is a person that has a profound impact on my life. I apply my stoic learnings to everything I do and learning to be consistent.

[the-sleepy-bear]

This is the message people need in the era of “quiet quitting”. People need to get going and do something with their lives.

[chorolpa]

Two stoic living legends in youtube, thank you for these reminders and conversation. Momento Mori - Amor Fati

[Domzdream]

Loved Amadeus Mozart. I saw it back in the 80s. I’ve still got the dvd which I watch every so often. What a brilliant movie!

[NThanksImFull]

That was absolutely amazing. Lots of good videos on this channel and this one is one of the best I've seen so far. Thank you to both of you.

[maillardsbearcat]

Love love love this channel, I am learning so much. More so than most other pods. Eternally grateful.

[sharondavid-melly]

As a Christian, Stoicism absolutely has a place. Really benefit from it's practical discipline...many Religious Orders do the same. Thank you for this interview.😊

[fariyan]

So so so into this conversation. Hope he comes back again on the show. ❤. Otherwise I'll just keep replaying this and the Robert Green ones on loop.

[Conversations]

Such an excellent conversation. "One thing" if I tread very lightly when you speak of suicide. With all of my heart, I understand where people might think that the person is selfish because they are indulging in me me me. THIS in fact is not at all the truth. SELFISH people do NOT take their lives. A dear dear friend took his life 30 years ago. My uncle 18 years ago. My daughter left this world almost 5 years ago. All three were extremely kind, good, successful people. Hands down, my daughter was the most courageous, brave person I have ever known. She got up every day with a plan to live another day. She exercised, she spread joy, she and I NEVER stopped searching for the while, she never stopped working. Suicidal people are not people who deal with basic depression and you take actions (Andrew Tate, Tom, Ryan) that people suggest and your life turns around. It is FAR beyond that. I am NOT offended or an angry mom lashing out about the glib comments about depression/suicide, rather hoping to help people understand that it is deep. Continue the amazing conversations Tom. Many blessings

[krisrattus]

What a truly intelligent guy, subscribed to Daily Stoic. Happy there are people like you in the world.