Meditations” by Marcus Aurelius

Meditations is perhaps the only document of its kind ever made. It is the private thoughts of the world’s most powerful man giving advice to himself on how to make good on the responsibilities and obligations of his positions. Trained in Stoic philosophy, Marcus Aurelius stopped almost every night to practice a series of spiritual exercises—reminders designed to make him humble, patient, empathetic, generous, and strong in the face of whatever he was dealing with. It is imminently readable and perfectly accessible. You cannot read this book and not come away with a phrase or a line that will be helpful to you the next time you are in trouble. Read it, it is practical philosophy embodied.

A famous quote from the books goes like: “It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.”

Sophie’s World” by Jostein Gaarder:

It tells the story of a 14-year-old girl named Sophie who finds herself under the tutelage of a mysterious expert in philosophy by the name of Alberto Knox. With Knox as her guide, Sophie learns the history of European philosophy, from ancient mythologies to the twentieth century musings of existentialism.

The Art of War” by Sun Tzu:

The Art of War contains 13 chapters, each detailing specific lines of indirect and direct attack to use in different circumstances of conflict and war. Sun-Tzu explains the importance of being prepared. He points out five essential elements of war: moral influence, weather, terrain, command, and doctrine.

“The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark” by Carl Sagan:

The Demon-Haunted World by Carl Sagan explains why scientific thinking is crucial for navigating today’s complex world. It offers insights on how we can separate fact from fiction and think critically, empowering us to make informed decisions.

The Republic” by Plato:

The Republic by Plato is a text that describes the importance of being just in the world, and by being just, one is happy. It is a text that describes an ideal city and a way through which a just and philosophical governance can create happiness.