--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In its own way, the most harmful dragon…" description: "\"“In its own way, the most harmful dragon we chase is the one that makes us think we can change things that are simply not ours to change.”\" — Ryan Holiday" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0aa/ryan-holiday-514_change-things_in-its-own-way-the-most-harmful-dragon-w_1698244.jpg" --- # In its own way, the most harmful dragon we chase is the… ![“In its own way, the most harmful dragon we chase is the one that makes us think we can change things that are simply not ours to change.” quote by Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0aa/ryan-holiday-514_change-things_in-its-own-way-the-most-harmful-dragon-w_1698244.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0aa/ryan-holiday-514_change-things_in-its-own-way-the-most-harmful-dragon-w_1698244.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0aa/ryan-holiday-514_change-things_in-its-own-way-the-most-harmful-dragon-w_1698244.jpg) > ““In its own way, the most harmful dragon we chase is the one that makes us think we can change things that are simply not ours to change.”” [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. We often waste effort on trying to control what is beyond our influence, leading to frustration. **In simple terms:** Trying to change the impossible causes harm. Key Takeaway Focus on what you can truly affect. Themes control frustration stoicism Mood reflective cautious Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal goals - political activism - relationship boundaries - workplace dynamics Key Concepts agency acceptance effort Questions to Reflect On - What can you let go of today? - How do you distinguish between influence and control? A Different Perspective Changing uncontrollable things can still be necessary in some contexts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dragon/) ## Related quotes > [“In its own way, the most harmful dragon we chase is the one that makes us think we can change things that are simply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/in-its-own-way-the-most-harmful-dragon-we-chase-is-the-one-that-makes-2/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [What is harmful to kids is to give them a first-year teacher. That is absolutely the wrong thing you can do in terms of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-walsh/what-is-harmful-to-kids-is-to-give-them-a-first-year-teacher-that-is/) [Kate Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-walsh/) > [We don't want to promote any system that treats the fact that an individual is LGBT as a personality disorder. 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