Right Thing, Right Now

Good Values. Good Character. Good Deeds.

By: Ryan Holiday

Narrated by: Ryan Holiday

Length: 7 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

In his New York Times bestselling book, Discipline Is Destiny, Ryan Holiday made the Stoic case for a life of self-discipline. In this much-anticipated third installment in the Stoic Virtues series, he argues for the necessity of doing what’s right—even when it isn’t easy

For the ancients, everything worth pursuing in life flowed from a strong sense of justice—or one’s commitment to doing the right thing, no matter how difficult. In order to be courageous, wise, and self-disciplined, one must begin with justice. The influence of the modern world often tells us that acting justly is optional. Holiday argues that that’s simply untrue—and the fact that so few people today have the strength to stand by their convictions explains much about why we’re so unhappy.

In Right Thing, Right Now., Holiday draws on fascinating stories of historical figures such as Marcus Aurelius, Florence Nightingale, Jimmy Carter, Gandhi, and Frederick Douglass, whose examples of kindness, honesty, integrity, and loyalty we can emulate as pillars of upright living. Through the lives of these role models, listeners learn the transformational power of living by a moral code and, through the cautionary tales of unjust leaders, the consequences of an ill-formed conscience.

The Stoics never claimed that living justly was easy, only that it was necessary. And that the alternative—sacrificing our principles for something lesser—was considered only by cowards and fools. Right Thing, Right Now. is a powerful antidote to the moral failures of our modern age, and a manual for living virtuously.

©2024 Ryan Holiday (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Right Thing, Right Now is a message all of us need to hear.”—Arnold Schwarzenegger

“At this moment in history there cannot be a more important book for civilization. Right Thing, Right Now is a gift to humanity, showing us that each of us can live with a clear sense of justice, both within ourselves and within this planet.”—Dr. Edith Eva Eger

“Ryan Holiday has helped bring the ancient teaching of Stoicism to millions of readers—from athletes and politicians to CEOs."—Good Morning America

Top Shelf!

This might be one of my favorite Ryan Holiday books. This is not a self-help book, but a better way to thinking and act in the world.

Justice Starts Within

Loved this book. I have a lot of work to do on myself and with this book, another tool in the toolbox to succeed at being a better person.

Good, but missed some marks

I've enjoyed a lot of his books and had been eagerly anticipating this one. And while I think the message is important and he used many excellent examples from history to demonstrate how we can exercise the virtue of justice in our own lives, I have an issue with how much time (over 45 min) was dedicated to extolling the virtues of Ghandi without properly clarifying that while he was at times a great man, he was by no means a good one. Ghandi practiced chastity, but rather than simply abstaining he would "test" himself by sleeping in the same bed with young girls who were nude, to include his own grand niece and the wife of his grand nephew, to see if he could withstand temptation. He also often insulted his wife and denied her access to western medicine when she fell ill, something that led to her death. Yet when he himself became ill he readily accepted western medicine to save himself. While the author's praise of Ghandi doesn't ruin the entire book and I do still believe in the overall message, it left a very bad taste in my mouth to hear a man who would be rightly reviled today for such abusive acts of power over others be praised for the handful of things he did right to such excess.

Amazing Breakdown

This book blended in history and current events masterfully. The examples provided showed that anyone is capable of doing good despite where they started.

what I needed at the time I need

this book said exactly what I needed to hear... exactly the moment I needed to hear it. thank you Ryan Holliday keep up the good work

Inspiring and hopeful

This is one book that will be read and reread for all the years to come.
It is a blessing. Thank you Ryan Holiday.

Virtues & Value

While I do not fully agree with all of Holiday's perspectives, I do find his style and his content captivating and worthwhile. I admire his dedication to the journey and relate on many levels. I highly recommend this and all of his other works on Stoic virtue.

Amazing

I don’t think I have enjoyed listening to a book so much. Great performance, great messages and educational.

Stoicism for the win. Again

Challenging book. Loved the stories of people throughout history and challenge to do the right thing even if it hurts

Loved it

I finished it in 2 days .
I’m always so excited to listening RH.
He seems such a nice guy.
His books are alwayss worthy to listen and read.
His books makes a better world .