There are several benefits to my daily exercise routine. As I pedal along the exercise bike for sixty minutes, I read. I'd estimate that I read for 45 out of 60 minutes, while on the bike, five days a week.
What I've read lately:
Handbook, Epictetus
Meditations, Marcus Aurelius
- These are two foundational readings in ancient Stoicism, and studying the Stoics has been a tremendous help to me. Simple, sensible, logical, no-nonsense, live in the moment wisdom. It works the same today as it did nearly 2000 years ago. Stoicism has its roots in Socrates.
Diogenes the Cynic, Luis Navia
- Diogenes is the most notable Cynic of ancient times. He was a disciple of Antisthenes, who himself learned from Socrates. His brutal honesty stunned his contemporaries; he lived in a tub, and is known for the "war" he waged against the world. He was a phenomenal man, devoted to truth, and damn the consequences. There have been very few men with the courage of a Diogenes. Many interesting anecdotes have come down to us regarding Diogenes. It is said that he once walked through the streets of Athens in broad daylight with a lit lantern. When asked why, he replied he was searching for an honest man. Alexander the Great was said to visit Diogenes, asking him what he could do for him. Diogenes retorted that he could move out of his sunlight.
The Freedom Manifesto, Tom Hodgkinson
- Allen gave me this volume for my birthday. This is the same guy who wrote How to Be Idle, one of my favorites, which challenges much that is considered mainstream and "normal." In this volume, it's more of the same, challenging the status quo, encouraging us to be free and less dependent on government, supermarkets, jobs, etc. Very enjoyable read.
Today I was at the Friends of the Library Bookstore at the main library in Huntsville. They have many excellent books, many of them classics, for pennies. I bought Thoreau's Walden and Shakespeare's Hamlet today. I look forward to digging into those.
