I’ve always liked the idea of “investing in yourself.” But it seems like all the talk (online and offline) about self-investment is just that: all talk.
If we have some extra cash, how often do we splurge on clothes, a concert, or a venti PSL instead of buying something that actually moves the needle? At the risk of sounding presumptuous, it always seems like the people who throw temper tantrums about their jobs, or life in general, are the ones who spend money on useless shit that disappears as fast as they swipe the debit card.
On that note, here are five books that I guarantee will add value to your life, even if you only have five dollars to your name.
Letters from a Self-Made Merchant to His Son by George Horace Lorimer
What can you learn from a bunch of fictional letters written by a 19th-century meat packing millionaire? Pretty much all the advice you need on decision-making, humility, business, and leadership. Though this was written over 100 years ago, many of its lessons run parallel to the messages that modern entrepreneurs preach:
“The man who can make up his mind quick, makes up other people’s minds for them. Decision is a sharp knife that cuts clear and straight and lays bare the fat and the lean; indecision is a dull one that hacks and tears and leaves ragged edges behind it.”
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
“The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury.”
“The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.”
These are just two reflections from the journal of Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor, in which he documented his quest for inner peace. Despite having power over what was arguably the most dominant empire in history, Marcus Aurelius never allowed authority and luxury to corrupt his common sense. This is a glimpse into his mind.
On the Shortness of Life by Seneca
I don’t know a “philosopher” whose ideas are as relevant to the 21st-century as Seneca. His advice on wealth, jealousy, power, and happiness are as useful today as they were when he was teaching students in Ancient Greece:
“Envy you’ll escape if you haven’t imposed yourself on other people’s notice, if you haven’t flaunted your possessions, if you’ve learned to keep your satisfaction to yourself.”
Don’t expect a textbook-style philosophy book when you read this. It’s short, easy to understand, and will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the little things.
The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli
500 years after Machiavelli set out to write a guide for gaining and maintaining political power, The Prince ranks among the most controversial books ever written. Machiavelli gets a bad rap for enabling shysters, svengalis, and other ne’r-do-wells (hence Machiavellianism), but often ignored are his pragmatic, helpful observations:
“The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.”
Whether you’re a c-suite executive or a student, The Prince is an essential primer on logic and strategy.
Enchiridion by Epictetus
Born into slavery with a permanent disability, Epictetus devoted his life to the pursuit of inner freedom. Enchiridion (Latin for “handbook) is a synthesis of Epictetus’ practical advice for living unbothered by chatter, expectations, and other nonsense. The wisdom in these 64 pages is more important than ever.
Like to read and write? Here are 5 books to base your life on, plus 11 writing lessons from iconic authors.
