Courageous Calling: Fortune Favors the Brave

The instant New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestseller, Ryan Holiday’s bestselling trilogy comprising The Obstacle Is the Way, Ego is the Enemy, and Stillness is the Key has captured the attention and admiration of professional athletes, CEOs, politicians, and entrepreneurs, introducing Stoicism to millions of readers. Now, in the first installment of an exciting new series focusing on the cardinal virtues of ancient philosophy, Holiday delves into the most fundamental virtue of all: Courage.

Fear is a universal experience, one that is reflected in nearly every religion, spiritual practice, philosophy, and individual. The Bible often reminds us, “Be not afraid,” while the ancient Greeks described phobos, panic, and terror. Stoics acknowledged the natural presence of fear but emphasized that it should not dictate one’s actions. Courage, then, is the ability to overcome fear, to act with integrity, to do what is necessary, and to pursue what is right. This virtue lies at the core of the teachings of Marcus Aurelius, Aristotle, and CS Lewis, alongside temperance, justice, and wisdom.

In Courage Is Calling, Holiday dissects the components of fear, the embodiment of cowardice, the elements of courage, a display of bravery, and finally, the characteristics of heroism, an exemplification of valor. Through compelling narratives featuring both historical and contemporary leaders like Charles De Gaulle, Florence Nightingale, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Holiday illustrates how one can confront fear and embrace courage in everyday life.

Readers will also explore the moral dilemmas and courageous actions of lesser-known yet equally significant figures from past and present, such as Roman Senator Helvidius Priscus, who defiantly challenged Emperor Vespasian, even in the face of death; former New York City Police Department Detective Frank Serpico, who exposed police corruption; and Frederick Douglass, whose determination to end slavery was fueled by the bravery of a slave named Nelly who resisted her captors.

In a world where fear is pervasive, where many choose silence over speaking out against injustice, conformity over self-trust, and ignorance over confronting harsh realities, courage is needed more than ever. The courage of whistleblowers, risk-takers, activists, adventurers, truth-tellers, and attentive leaders is essential. The call to step into the arena and fight is directed at you.

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