Right Thing, Right Now: Practicing Justice in the Small Moments That Shape Us

IOL News

22-07-2025

Doing what is right even when it is inconvenient or unpopular is the foundation of true character. Let principle lead the way, not comfort.
Ryan Holiday's tone is neither forceful nor preachy. He is gentle but persistent. Justice is not a one time performance. It is a steady practice built through the choices we make when no one else is watching. And in a world fixated on surface image and curated perfection, that reminder felt surprisingly grounding.
I wasn't expecting Right Thing Right Now to resonate so deeply. Not in an overwhelming way, but in that quiet soul tapping way that makes you stop mid sentence and ask when was the last time I truly chose what was right, especially when it was inconvenient or invisible. The book challenges the idea that justice is a distant ideal meant only for philosophers or historical icons. Instead, it brings justice into the messy reality of daily life, into the small decisions that reveal who we really are. Fairness, kindness, and integrity take root in moments that rarely get noticed.
Would you still choose what is right if it cost you your comfort, your silence, your applause?
What Makes It Work
One of the book's most powerful strengths is how it reframes justice—not as a distant ideal reserved for heroes or historical icons—but as a daily commitment to doing what is right, even when it is inconvenient. Through stories of people like Marcus Aurelius, Gandhi, Florence Nightingale, and Frederick Douglass, the narrative does not elevate them to unreachable status. Instead, it humanises their courage, showing how principles endure through ordinary choices made with conviction.
What landed most deeply were the everyday examples. Speaking up for someone whose voice is overlooked in a meeting. Owning up to a mistake rather than deflecting blame. Stepping away from gossip even when silence feels awkward. Staying loyal to a friend even when there is pressure to walk away. These quiet acts do not earn applause, but they shape us—and influence the culture around us.
Where many Stoic inspired works focus inward, encouraging emotional control or mental clarity, this one pivots outward. It asks a vital question: what is the value of inner peace if we do not use it to treat others justly.
Room for More
At times the book leaned heavily on historical icons, which created some emotional distance. I found myself wishing for more stories of justice in the everyday struggles many of us face. Think of a teacher who speaks up against unfair grading policies, even if it draws criticism from colleagues. A nurse who quietly advocates for a patient whose voice is overlooked. A single parent who sacrifices comfort to stand firm on a value they are trying to instil in their child. A community leader who resists corruption despite pressure from influential voices.
These are the moments where justice breathes—not in grand speeches, but in the quiet decisions that shape our lives.
What Stayed With Me
Justice is the foundation that gives other virtues meaning. It anchors courage, wisdom, and discipline with purpose. Integrity is invisible and does not require an audience. Doing right should never depend on being seen. A personal moral code matters most when it is inconvenient. True character shows when it would be easier to compromise. Justice lives in small, often uncomfortable choices. Refusing to gossip, sharing credit, owning up to mistakes—each one is a chance to shape culture through action.
Compared to Other Works
If you are familiar with Stoic philosophy, this book brings something different. While others focus on mastering the self, this one asks how we bring that mastery into our relationships and communities. It shows that fairness is not just about personal morality, it is about how we treat those around us. Character is revealed not only in solitude but in how we show up for others when it counts. That shift from inward reflection to outward action makes the message feel both refreshing and urgent.
Final Thought
It may not be flawless. It could offer more contemporary voices and stories that feel closer to our everyday lives. But the core message is undeniable. Justice is not a rare event or dramatic performance. It is a daily choice. A habit. A way of walking through the world without waiting for applause.
Justice does not just appear. It is made, decision by decision, moment by moment.
* Right Thing Right Now is available at Exclusive Books.