Quotes:

"If you wish to improve, be content to appear clueless or stupid."

- Epictetus

Insights:

1. Epictetus had empathy for others' struggles, cultivated by living 30 years in slavery. Until knowing someone's reasons, we don't know that they acted wrongly.
2. Epictetus viewed the goal of when we experience adversity is to be able to say "this is what I've trained for, for this is my discipline."
3. Under slavery for 30 years he did not allow his spirit to break, despite his leg being broken from torture.
4. We often value other people's opinions about us more than our own.

Quotes:

"How very little can be done under the spirit of fear."

- Florence Nightingale

"When I am no longer even a memory, just a name, I hope that my voice may perpetuate the great work of my life."

- Florence Nightingale

"Never lose an opportunity of urging a practical beginning, however small, for it is wonderful how often in such matters the mustard-seed germinates and roots itself."

- Florence Nightingale

Insights:

1. Florence Nightingale was fearless and independent from a young age - in the same household her sister clung to her mother, whilst Florence was confident by herself.
2. On February 7, 1937 at sixteen years old she describes getting the "call" to a higher purpose - outside the limitations of what was available to women during the time, and outside of the expectations of her wealthy family upbringing.
3. She suppressed this "call" as she was scared to go outside of her family expectations.
4. Florence Nightingale feared being unusual in her family and faced guilt trips and threats of stepping outside of the "norm".
5. Florence Nightingale suppressed her inner "calling" for 16 years.
6. Fear often keeps us from pursuing our destiny and holds us back, makes us freeze, provides us with the reasons not to act.
7. Large outcomes always start from small beginnings.
8. Florence Nightingale's pivotal moment was when she realised that life, and society was not going to give her what she needed - she would have to take it for herself.

Principles:

1. Pursue your calling.

Insights:

1. Sun Tzu said that it is best to win without fighting - to position yourself such that your enemies have lost before the fight has even begun.