--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A MORNING RITUAL “Ask yourself the…" description: "\"“A MORNING RITUAL “Ask yourself the following first thing in the morning: • What am I lacking in attaining freedom from passion? • What for tranquility..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef6/ryan-holiday-514_ask-yourself_a-morning-ritual-ask-yourself-the-follow_3093256.jpg" --- # A MORNING RITUAL “Ask yourself the following first thing… ![“A MORNING RITUAL “Ask yourself the following first thing in the morning: • What am I lacking in attaining freedom from passion? • What for tranquility? • What am I? A mere body, estate-holder, or reputation? None of these things. • What, then? A rational being. • What then is demanded of me?…” quote by Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef6/ryan-holiday-514_ask-yourself_a-morning-ritual-ask-yourself-the-follow_3093256.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef6/ryan-holiday-514_ask-yourself_a-morning-ritual-ask-yourself-the-follow_3093256.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef6/ryan-holiday-514_ask-yourself_a-morning-ritual-ask-yourself-the-follow_3093256.jpg) > ““A MORNING RITUAL “Ask yourself the following first thing in the morning: • What am I lacking in attaining freedom from passion? • What for tranquility? • What am I? A mere body, estate-holder, or reputation? None of these things. • What, then? A rational being. • What then is demanded of me? Meditate on your actions. • How did I steer away from serenity? • What did I do that was unfriendly, unsocial, or uncaring? • What did I fail to do in all these things?” —EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES, 4.6.34–35”” [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A morning ritual of self‑inquiry to align actions with rational virtue and inner freedom. **In simple terms:** Ask yourself key questions each morning to live virtuously. Key Takeaway Begin each day with reflective questioning. Themes philosophy self‑improvement virtue Mood thoughtful calm Type practical inspirational When to use this quote - daily routine - personal development - ethical decision‑making Key Concepts Stoicism self‑reflection mindfulness Questions to Reflect On - How can you adapt these questions to modern life? - What habits support your pursuit of tranquility? 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Meditate on your actions. • How did I steer away from serenity? • What did I do that was unfriendly, unsocial, or uncaring? • What did I fail to do in all these things?” —EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES, 4.6.34–35”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ryan Holiday" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/a-morning-ritual-ask-yourself-the-following-first-thing-in-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ask yourself" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/a-morning-ritual-ask-yourself-the-following-first-thing-in-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef6/ryan-holiday-514_ask-yourself_a-morning-ritual-ask-yourself-the-follow_3093256.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef6/ryan-holiday-514_ask-yourself_a-morning-ritual-ask-yourself-the-follow_3093256.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef6/ryan-holiday-514_ask-yourself_a-morning-ritual-ask-yourself-the-follow_3093256.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“A MORNING RITUAL “Ask yourself the following first thing in the morning: • What am I lacking in attaining…” — Ryan Holiday", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ryan Holiday", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“A MORNING RITUAL “Ask yourself the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/a-morning-ritual-ask-yourself-the-following-first-thing-in-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/a-morning-ritual-ask-yourself-the-following-first-thing-in-the/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```