Book Review: Ego Is The Enemy
Overview
Ego is the blindfold that distorts reality, making us see not "what is" but what our imagination thinks "should be."
It’s the silent companion of entitlement, and while we often convince ourselves we’re free of both, the truth is that ego lurks within all of us.
Even the greatest leaders have fallen victim to its poison. If you’re reading this and thinking, “I don’t have an ego,” then your ego is already whispering sweet lies to you—easy to swallow but with bitter consequences.
“The strongest poison ever known came from Caesar’s laurel crown.” —William Blake
What I Liked
This book serves as a crucial wake-up call about an ever-present vice we often feed without realizing it.
Every paragraph is filled with compelling anecdotes and cautionary tales of how ego has destroyed individuals, empires, and even entire civilizations.
It offers practical advice while reminding us that we’re no different from the historical figures who succumbed to their egos.
What I Didn’t Like
While I’m a fan of Ryan Holiday’s work, some sections felt repetitive and overly drawn out.
At times, the message was clear, but the use of multiple anecdotes to reinforce the same point felt excessive.
Who Is This Book For?
Everyone. Whether you’re a CEO in your 30s, a high school student in algebra class, or an aspiring entrepreneur, ego is a constant companion on your journey. It doesn’t matter if you’re a student council president or a world leader—ego is always a few steps away, ready to derail your progress.
5 Favorite Quotes
“You can lie to yourself, saying that you put in the time, or pretend that you’re working, but eventually someone will show up. You’ll be tested. And quite possibly, found out.”
“With accomplishment comes a growing pressure to pretend that we know more than we do.”
“There’s no one to perform for. There is just work to be done and lessons to be learned, in all that is around us.”
“What is rare is not raw talent, skill, or even confidence, but humility, diligence, and self-awareness.”
“Passion is form over function. Purpose is function, function, function.”
Book Summary
What Is Ego?
At its core, ego is the unhealthy belief in our own importance. More profoundly, it’s a vice we’re all born with—a natural poison that can cloud judgment and distort reality. While ego is ever-present, it can be managed and directed. The key is to prevent it from blocking your path to success or destroying everything you’ve built (or will build).
“Ego inhibits true success by preventing a direct and honest connection to the world around us.”
Know That You Know Nothing
Humility is the antidote to ego. Recognize your limits and never assume you’re the smartest person in the room. Adopt the mindset of a perpetual student—someone who is both a teacher and a critic. Teach yourself where to direct your time and effort, and critique yourself to keep your ego in check.
Ego thrives on the fear of being wrong. It convinces us of our own intelligence while steering us away from anything that challenges our assumptions. The sooner we accept that we’re not always right, the sooner we can grow.
“You cannot get better if you’re convinced you are the best.”
Don’t Fall for Your Own Story
We often tell ourselves (and others) grand stories of success, convincing ourselves that greatness is preordained. But as Ryan Holiday points out, “After a certain point, our mind begins to confuse goal visualization with actual progress.” This illusion of destined greatness is the gateway to hubris and the downfall of character.
Even Ancient Rome, a city of marble and grandeur, fell to corruption and vanity. Don’t let your own illusions of grandeur shatter your dreams. Instead, focus on the work, not the hype.
“Even a child knows how to gossip and chatter. Most people are decent at hype and sales. So what is scarce and rare? Silence.”
Keep Score of Yourself
We often measure success by external validation—impressing others, seeking praise, or chasing recognition. But this external scorecard is a trap. It fuels our ego and distracts us from true growth. Instead, focus on your inner scorecard—your personal standards and progress.
Winning isn’t enough. Anyone can get lucky and win, but not everyone becomes the best version of themselves. Shift your metric of success from external approval to internal fulfillment.
“Winning is not enough. People can get lucky and win. People can be assholes and win. Anyone can win. But not everyone is the best possible version of themselves.”
Conclusion
If you’ve made it this far, know that this isn’t the end of your battle with ego. Ego is persistent, but it can be managed and directed. Don’t fall for its stories of destined greatness or its illusions of comfort. The world owes you nothing, and ego leads you nowhere.
Aim for greatness, but never feel entitled to it. Succeed in your endeavors, but never become complacent. Fail, but never give up or remain stagnant. Above all, cultivate self-awareness.
And as you move forward, remember: Ego is the enemy. Not ambition, not success, not failure—but ego. Strive for success without ego. Push through failure with strength, not ego. And always, always stay humble.
