Discipline Is Destiny

Question 1

Is the book discipline is destiny about?

Answer 1

In Discipline Is Destiny, Ryan highlights the power of self-discipline and self-mastery. He draws on historical figures as models of self-discipline. He profiled the discipline virtues of individuals such as Marcus Aurelius, Queen Elizabeth II, Lou Gehrig, Angela Merkel, Martin Luther King Jr., George Washington, and Winston Churchill — inspire us with their restraint and dedication. The cautionary tales of history—Napoleon, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, King George IV —stun us with their self-inflicted destruction. And because each of us contains multitudes, sometimes we see both excess and restraint in the same person and can learn from both.

Question 2

Cardinal virtues (discipline is destiny)

Answer 2

The Cardinal Virtues

The virtues are interrelated and inseparable, yet each is distinct from the others. Doing the right thing almost always takes courage, just as a discipline is impossible without the wisdom to know what is worth choosing. What good is courage if not applied to justice? What good is wisdom if it doesn’t make us more modest?

In the ancient world, virtue was comprised of four key components: Courage. Temperance. Justice.
Wisdom. The “touchstones of goodness,” the philosopher-king Marcus Aurelius called them. To millions, they’re known as the cardinal virtues, four near-universal ideals adopted by Christianity and most of Western philosophy, but equally valued in Buddhism, Hinduism, and just about every other philosophy you can imagine.

Question 3

Part 1 the body

Answer 3

We all begin with the self, the body. If we don’t dominate ourselves physically, who or what will? -> external forces, laziness, adversity, entropy atrophy. We must do the work, because thats what we here for.

We treat the body like a temple, we treat it rigoursly, restrain it and dominate it. So it may not overrun and override the mind

However its important to note that it is not about a life without pleasures.

In the end we are constraining ourselves physically to free ourselves mentally and spiritually

Question 4

Part 2 inner domain: temperament

Answer 4

True self control means moderation not just in what we do, but also how we think, feel and comport ourselves in a world of chaos and confusion.

“Rarely does a person who competes with his head as well as his body come out second.”

Being brilliant smart or sucesfull is not a free pass. We have to always stay in command and check outselves and our impulses. -> nothing in exces

We work hard, we think hard and keep up to high standards. When we fail we know we have the strength and endurance to keep on going and come back. We will have the determination and balance to get back and going.

If we don’t ? If we are careless, lazy, sloppy, weak ? -> you will die as ordinary and disappointing people

Question 5

Part 3 the magisterial: the soul

Answer 5

Its not uncommon to find someone who has a physical command of themselves, nor is there a shortage of brilliant people. However people are rare who become the two in the so called arena of public life.

This is the greatness we seek, where the body, mind and spirit come together in the most stressful situations.

Whether its from the bible or any story: we have a choice between self-control and ill-discipline; virtue and vice.

Self control must be observed physically, embodied mentally and rendered magisterially when our moment comes.