What You'll Learn:

Marcus Aurelius was a Roman emperor with a lot on his plate: plagues, betrayals, invaders—there was never a dull moment. But Aurelius never expected a life of ease and never allowed the challenges he faced, however formidable, to get the last word. One of his reflections, written with the pithy succinctness one might expect from a Stoic, shows us the key to Aurelius’ success and the success of many others in history:

The impediment to action advances action.

What stands in the way becomes the way.

It was not in spite of but because of life’s obstacles that Aurelius achieved so much. Ryan Holiday argues that these principles transcend epoch and culture and are waiting in the wings for anyone to activate.