“Every night before going to sleep, we must ask ourselves: what weakness did I overcome today? What virtue did I acquire?”
What this quote means
This practice of daily self-examination turns every day into an opportunity for moral progress. By asking ourselves what weaknesses we have overcome and what virtues we have acquired, we become aware of our evolution. This helps us continuously improve and stay aligned with our values. In a world that values material accumulation, this ritual reminds us of the importance of inner growth.
How to apply it daily
Before sleep, write in a journal one weakness overcome and one virtue practiced, even minor, to anchor your progress.
Reading guide
Which book should you read to discover Seneca?
Our starting point
Reading one philosophical counsel a day
Letters from a Stoic
Each letter begins with a concrete situation—time, anger, death, friendship—and can be read on its own.
- Level
- Intermediate
- Reading time
- 8–12 hours for a selection
- Formats to compare
- Print · Ebook · Audio
Merchant links help compare editions. Recommendations are editorially independent.
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