Dylan’s Code: The Four Virtues That Defined His Career
👉 How the same principles that shaped Dylan’s life can guide yours, too.
Welcome Back to the Daily Dylan Stoicism Series!
Last time, we explored how obstacles fueled Dylan’s greatest reinventions—from losing his high school bands to being booed at Newport to disappearing after his motorcycle crash.
Today, we go deeper into the Stoic foundation of his mindset.
The ancient Stoics believed that to live a good life, you had to cultivate four key virtues:
1️⃣ Wisdom (Sophia) – Seeing things clearly, focusing on what truly matters.
2️⃣ Courage (Andreia) – Facing fear and criticism without hesitation.
3️⃣ Justice (Dikaiosyne) – Doing what’s right, regardless of external pressures.
4️⃣ Temperance (Sophrosyne) – Practicing self-discipline and balance.
And if there’s one modern figure who has embodied all four, it’s Bob Dylan.
Wisdom: The Ability to See Beyond the Noise
"Don’t criticize what you can’t understand." – Bob Dylan
Wisdom, in Stoic philosophy, is about understanding the bigger picture, seeing things as they really are, and knowing what’s worth your attention.
Dylan has always had a way of looking beyond the surface, refusing to be swayed by trends or short-term opinions.
Example:
In the 1960s, while many were writing straightforward protest songs, Dylan took a deeper approach, using surreal imagery and cryptic storytelling.
He saw that true change comes not from slogans but from shifting minds—and that requires something beyond simple protest songs.
Instead of reacting to the moment, he created something that lasted.
🎯 The Stoic Lesson: Wisdom is knowing that not everything deserves your reaction. Focus on what truly matters. Ignore the noise.
Courage: Standing Firm, No Matter What
Courage isn’t about being fearless. It’s about acting despite fear, despite criticism, despite resistance.
If there’s one word that describes Dylan’s career, it’s bold. He has never been afraid to make radical changes, even when people hated them.
Example:
Newport 1965: Going electric despite the folk world rejecting him.
1979 Gospel Era: Singing about faith even when fans and critics turned their backs.
Endless reinvention: He never played it safe, never gave people what they expected.
He knew he’d lose fans along the way—but he also knew that staying true to himself mattered more than approval.
🎯 The Stoic Lesson: True courage isn’t about being fearless—it’s about standing firm in your path, even when the world disagrees.
Justice: Speaking Truth, Even When It’s Unpopular
Justice, in Stoicism, is about doing what’s right, even when it’s inconvenient. It’s about standing up for truth, fairness, and integrity.
Dylan’s music has always reflected this principle.
🎸 Example:
The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll – A song about racial injustice, based on a real case.
Hurricane – Bringing attention to Rubin Carter’s wrongful imprisonment.
Masters of War – A relentless critique of those who profit from conflict.
Unlike many artists, Dylan never lectured or positioned himself as a leader—he simply told stories, let the listener make up their own mind, and let the truth speak for itself.
🎯 The Stoic Lesson: Justice isn’t about being loud—it’s about acting with integrity and letting truth do the talking.
Temperance: Knowing When to Step Back
Temperance is about balance, self-discipline, and knowing when to let go. It’s about not letting emotions or external validation control you.
Dylan has mastered the art of detachment.
Example:
He never let awards or fame define him.
He walked away from the peak of fame in 1966, rejecting the expectations placed upon him.
He didn’t let praise inflate his ego, and he didn’t let criticism break him.
Instead, he just kept moving forward.
🎯 The Stoic Lesson: You don’t need to react to everything. Master yourself, and nothing can control you.
What Can We Learn From This?
Dylan’s career is a masterclass in Stoicism—not because he studied it, but because he lived it.
Here’s how you can apply these four virtues to your own life:
🔹 Wisdom: Stop reacting to everything. Focus on what actually matters.
🔹 Courage: Don’t let fear or criticism stop you from being who you are.
🔹 Justice: Speak your truth, but let actions, not words, prove your integrity.
🔹 Temperance: Learn to let go—of praise, of criticism, of anything you can’t control.
Like Dylan, you don’t have to explain yourself to anyone. You just have to keep going.
What’s Coming Next?
We’ve now covered how Dylan turned obstacles into growth and how the four Stoic virtues shaped his path.
Next up:
📌 Bob Dylan, The Queen and The Power of Perseverance – Why Dylan never gave up, even when the world turned its back on him.
See you in the next email.
Daniel