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Principles
61 recommendations

Principles

Life and Work

by Ray Dalio

Bill GatesNaval RavikantTim Ferriss
Recommended by Bill Gates, Naval Ravikant +
10 more

More Recommenders

Tim Ferriss

Author and podcaster

8. I remember this book shaping up and validating so many of my leadership principles. @RayDalio did a masterful job here. | @JonUrbonas @RayDalio Such an amazing book! | @RayDalio The book is great and insightful in many ways. Thanks. Still working on it. | @taadelodun @RayDalio It’s a great book! Highly recommended! | A masterpiece It's a mustread! | Beautifully written and filled with such wisdom. | Had a profound positive impact on my leeadership style. | I highly, highly recommend this book. It has already changed how I think about making decisions in my life and in my business. | I'm obsessed with @RayDalio. His book Principles changed my approach to business. In fact, it's the most powerful business book I've ever read. Now he's turned it into a super punchy and impactful animated series. You MUST watch this. | It is the best gift I have ever received and will cherish it for life. Ray is a genius beyond description and this book will go down in history as one of the most significant guides to great success and achievement to ever be written. | Ray Dalio has provided me with invaluable guidance and insights that are now available to you in Principles. | Ray Dalio is a great guy and has a great book out you all need to get called Principles. It’s a major key. | Ray Dalio’s market acumen is legendary, but it was creating and living by a set of principles that allowed him to reach the top. Everyone with goals and dreams can learn from Ray’s approach. | So many to pick from in this amazing book. I’m focused on radical truth and radical transparency. Toughest and most uncomfortable to do, both personally and through work, but also the most freeing and impactful. I’ve committed to weekly progress. | The author Ray Dalio open sourced Bridgewater’s methods in Principles and the results were good evidence that collectives can operate at higher levels when they are open and honest about and can see past their cognitive flaws. | The book I wish I had as a young entrepreneur. | Wow. So dense with wisdom that I wanted to highlight almost every paragraph. Instead, I skipped Part 1, about his background, because in the intro he recommends you skip it. I also skipped Part 3, about work principles, since they were all collaborative groupstuff, and I?m not working with anyone now. So here are my notes just from Part 2, ?Life Principles?, which were so good I?ll probably reread this book again next year. Caveat: it?s mostly so highlevel ? (?Decide what is true, then decide what to do about it.?) ? that they?re more like koans to spark your own thoughts, instead of specific ?do this? type advice. | Wow. So dense with wisdom that I wanted to highlight almost every paragraph. Instead, I skipped Part 1, about his background, because in the intro he recommends you skip it. I also skipped Part 3, about work principles, since they were all collaborative groupstuff, and I’m not working with anyone now. So here are my notes just from Part 2, “Life Principles”, which were so good I’ll probably reread this book again next year. Caveat: it’s mostly so highlevel — (“Decide what is true, then decide what to do about it.”) — that they’re more like koans to spark your own thoughts, instead of specific “do this” type advice.

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N

Author and entrepreneur

8. I remember this book shaping up and validating so many of my leadership principles. @RayDalio did a masterful job here. | @JonUrbonas @RayDalio Such an amazing book! | @RayDalio The book is great and insightful in many ways. Thanks. Still working on it. | @taadelodun @RayDalio It’s a great book! Highly recommended! | A masterpiece It's a mustread! | Beautifully written and filled with such wisdom. | Had a profound positive impact on my leeadership style. | I highly, highly recommend this book. It has already changed how I think about making decisions in my life and in my business. | I'm obsessed with @RayDalio. His book Principles changed my approach to business. In fact, it's the most powerful business book I've ever read. Now he's turned it into a super punchy and impactful animated series. You MUST watch this. | It is the best gift I have ever received and will cherish it for life. Ray is a genius beyond description and this book will go down in history as one of the most significant guides to great success and achievement to ever be written. | Ray Dalio has provided me with invaluable guidance and insights that are now available to you in Principles. | Ray Dalio is a great guy and has a great book out you all need to get called Principles. It’s a major key. | Ray Dalio’s market acumen is legendary, but it was creating and living by a set of principles that allowed him to reach the top. Everyone with goals and dreams can learn from Ray’s approach. | So many to pick from in this amazing book. I’m focused on radical truth and radical transparency. Toughest and most uncomfortable to do, both personally and through work, but also the most freeing and impactful. I’ve committed to weekly progress. | The author Ray Dalio open sourced Bridgewater’s methods in Principles and the results were good evidence that collectives can operate at higher levels when they are open and honest about and can see past their cognitive flaws. | The book I wish I had as a young entrepreneur. | Wow. So dense with wisdom that I wanted to highlight almost every paragraph. Instead, I skipped Part 1, about his background, because in the intro he recommends you skip it. I also skipped Part 3, about work principles, since they were all collaborative groupstuff, and I?m not working with anyone now. So here are my notes just from Part 2, ?Life Principles?, which were so good I?ll probably reread this book again next year. Caveat: it?s mostly so highlevel ? (?Decide what is true, then decide what to do about it.?) ? that they?re more like koans to spark your own thoughts, instead of specific ?do this? type advice. | Wow. So dense with wisdom that I wanted to highlight almost every paragraph. Instead, I skipped Part 1, about his background, because in the intro he recommends you skip it. I also skipped Part 3, about work principles, since they were all collaborative groupstuff, and I’m not working with anyone now. So here are my notes just from Part 2, “Life Principles”, which were so good I’ll probably reread this book again next year. Caveat: it’s mostly so highlevel — (“Decide what is true, then decide what to do about it.”) — that they’re more like koans to spark your own thoughts, instead of specific “do this” type advice.

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Derek Sivers

Author; founder of CD Baby

8. I remember this book shaping up and validating so many of my leadership principles. @RayDalio did a masterful job here. | @JonUrbonas @RayDalio Such an amazing book! | @RayDalio The book is great and insightful in many ways. Thanks. Still working on it. | @taadelodun @RayDalio It’s a great book! Highly recommended! | A masterpiece It's a mustread! | Beautifully written and filled with such wisdom. | Had a profound positive impact on my leeadership style. | I highly, highly recommend this book. It has already changed how I think about making decisions in my life and in my business. | I'm obsessed with @RayDalio. His book Principles changed my approach to business. In fact, it's the most powerful business book I've ever read. Now he's turned it into a super punchy and impactful animated series. You MUST watch this. | It is the best gift I have ever received and will cherish it for life. Ray is a genius beyond description and this book will go down in history as one of the most significant guides to great success and achievement to ever be written. | Ray Dalio has provided me with invaluable guidance and insights that are now available to you in Principles. | Ray Dalio is a great guy and has a great book out you all need to get called Principles. It’s a major key. | Ray Dalio’s market acumen is legendary, but it was creating and living by a set of principles that allowed him to reach the top. Everyone with goals and dreams can learn from Ray’s approach. | So many to pick from in this amazing book. I’m focused on radical truth and radical transparency. Toughest and most uncomfortable to do, both personally and through work, but also the most freeing and impactful. I’ve committed to weekly progress. | The author Ray Dalio open sourced Bridgewater’s methods in Principles and the results were good evidence that collectives can operate at higher levels when they are open and honest about and can see past their cognitive flaws. | The book I wish I had as a young entrepreneur. | Wow. So dense with wisdom that I wanted to highlight almost every paragraph. Instead, I skipped Part 1, about his background, because in the intro he recommends you skip it. I also skipped Part 3, about work principles, since they were all collaborative groupstuff, and I?m not working with anyone now. So here are my notes just from Part 2, ?Life Principles?, which were so good I?ll probably reread this book again next year. Caveat: it?s mostly so highlevel ? (?Decide what is true, then decide what to do about it.?) ? that they?re more like koans to spark your own thoughts, instead of specific ?do this? type advice. | Wow. So dense with wisdom that I wanted to highlight almost every paragraph. Instead, I skipped Part 1, about his background, because in the intro he recommends you skip it. I also skipped Part 3, about work principles, since they were all collaborative groupstuff, and I’m not working with anyone now. So here are my notes just from Part 2, “Life Principles”, which were so good I’ll probably reread this book again next year. Caveat: it’s mostly so highlevel — (“Decide what is true, then decide what to do about it.”) — that they’re more like koans to spark your own thoughts, instead of specific “do this” type advice.

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F

Designer and writer

8. I remember this book shaping up and validating so many of my leadership principles. @RayDalio did a masterful job here. | @JonUrbonas @RayDalio Such an amazing book! | @RayDalio The book is great and insightful in many ways. Thanks. Still working on it. | @taadelodun @RayDalio It’s a great book! Highly recommended! | A masterpiece It's a mustread! | Beautifully written and filled with such wisdom. | Had a profound positive impact on my leeadership style. | I highly, highly recommend this book. It has already changed how I think about making decisions in my life and in my business. | I'm obsessed with @RayDalio. His book Principles changed my approach to business. In fact, it's the most powerful business book I've ever read. Now he's turned it into a super punchy and impactful animated series. You MUST watch this. | It is the best gift I have ever received and will cherish it for life. Ray is a genius beyond description and this book will go down in history as one of the most significant guides to great success and achievement to ever be written. | Ray Dalio has provided me with invaluable guidance and insights that are now available to you in Principles. | Ray Dalio is a great guy and has a great book out you all need to get called Principles. It’s a major key. | Ray Dalio’s market acumen is legendary, but it was creating and living by a set of principles that allowed him to reach the top. Everyone with goals and dreams can learn from Ray’s approach. | So many to pick from in this amazing book. I’m focused on radical truth and radical transparency. Toughest and most uncomfortable to do, both personally and through work, but also the most freeing and impactful. I’ve committed to weekly progress. | The author Ray Dalio open sourced Bridgewater’s methods in Principles and the results were good evidence that collectives can operate at higher levels when they are open and honest about and can see past their cognitive flaws. | The book I wish I had as a young entrepreneur. | Wow. So dense with wisdom that I wanted to highlight almost every paragraph. Instead, I skipped Part 1, about his background, because in the intro he recommends you skip it. I also skipped Part 3, about work principles, since they were all collaborative groupstuff, and I?m not working with anyone now. So here are my notes just from Part 2, ?Life Principles?, which were so good I?ll probably reread this book again next year. Caveat: it?s mostly so highlevel ? (?Decide what is true, then decide what to do about it.?) ? that they?re more like koans to spark your own thoughts, instead of specific ?do this? type advice. | Wow. So dense with wisdom that I wanted to highlight almost every paragraph. Instead, I skipped Part 1, about his background, because in the intro he recommends you skip it. I also skipped Part 3, about work principles, since they were all collaborative groupstuff, and I’m not working with anyone now. So here are my notes just from Part 2, “Life Principles”, which were so good I’ll probably reread this book again next year. Caveat: it’s mostly so highlevel — (“Decide what is true, then decide what to do about it.”) — that they’re more like koans to spark your own thoughts, instead of specific “do this” type advice.

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P

8. I remember this book shaping up and validating so many of my leadership principles. @RayDalio did a masterful job here. | @JonUrbonas @RayDalio Such an amazing book! | @RayDalio The book is great and insightful in many ways. Thanks. Still working on it. | @taadelodun @RayDalio It’s a great book! Highly recommended! | A masterpiece It's a mustread! | Beautifully written and filled with such wisdom. | Had a profound positive impact on my leeadership style. | I highly, highly recommend this book. It has already changed how I think about making decisions in my life and in my business. | I'm obsessed with @RayDalio. His book Principles changed my approach to business. In fact, it's the most powerful business book I've ever read. Now he's turned it into a super punchy and impactful animated series. You MUST watch this. | It is the best gift I have ever received and will cherish it for life. Ray is a genius beyond description and this book will go down in history as one of the most significant guides to great success and achievement to ever be written. | Ray Dalio has provided me with invaluable guidance and insights that are now available to you in Principles. | Ray Dalio is a great guy and has a great book out you all need to get called Principles. It’s a major key. | Ray Dalio’s market acumen is legendary, but it was creating and living by a set of principles that allowed him to reach the top. Everyone with goals and dreams can learn from Ray’s approach. | So many to pick from in this amazing book. I’m focused on radical truth and radical transparency. Toughest and most uncomfortable to do, both personally and through work, but also the most freeing and impactful. I’ve committed to weekly progress. | The author Ray Dalio open sourced Bridgewater’s methods in Principles and the results were good evidence that collectives can operate at higher levels when they are open and honest about and can see past their cognitive flaws. | The book I wish I had as a young entrepreneur. | Wow. So dense with wisdom that I wanted to highlight almost every paragraph. Instead, I skipped Part 1, about his background, because in the intro he recommends you skip it. I also skipped Part 3, about work principles, since they were all collaborative groupstuff, and I?m not working with anyone now. So here are my notes just from Part 2, ?Life Principles?, which were so good I?ll probably reread this book again next year. Caveat: it?s mostly so highlevel ? (?Decide what is true, then decide what to do about it.?) ? that they?re more like koans to spark your own thoughts, instead of specific ?do this? type advice. | Wow. So dense with wisdom that I wanted to highlight almost every paragraph. Instead, I skipped Part 1, about his background, because in the intro he recommends you skip it. I also skipped Part 3, about work principles, since they were all collaborative groupstuff, and I’m not working with anyone now. So here are my notes just from Part 2, “Life Principles”, which were so good I’ll probably reread this book again next year. Caveat: it’s mostly so highlevel — (“Decide what is true, then decide what to do about it.”) — that they’re more like koans to spark your own thoughts, instead of specific “do this” type advice.

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Z

8. I remember this book shaping up and validating so many of my leadership principles. @RayDalio did a masterful job here. | @JonUrbonas @RayDalio Such an amazing book! | @RayDalio The book is great and insightful in many ways. Thanks. Still working on it. | @taadelodun @RayDalio It’s a great book! Highly recommended! | A masterpiece It's a mustread! | Beautifully written and filled with such wisdom. | Had a profound positive impact on my leeadership style. | I highly, highly recommend this book. It has already changed how I think about making decisions in my life and in my business. | I'm obsessed with @RayDalio. His book Principles changed my approach to business. In fact, it's the most powerful business book I've ever read. Now he's turned it into a super punchy and impactful animated series. You MUST watch this. | It is the best gift I have ever received and will cherish it for life. Ray is a genius beyond description and this book will go down in history as one of the most significant guides to great success and achievement to ever be written. | Ray Dalio has provided me with invaluable guidance and insights that are now available to you in Principles. | Ray Dalio is a great guy and has a great book out you all need to get called Principles. It’s a major key. | Ray Dalio’s market acumen is legendary, but it was creating and living by a set of principles that allowed him to reach the top. Everyone with goals and dreams can learn from Ray’s approach. | So many to pick from in this amazing book. I’m focused on radical truth and radical transparency. Toughest and most uncomfortable to do, both personally and through work, but also the most freeing and impactful. I’ve committed to weekly progress. | The author Ray Dalio open sourced Bridgewater’s methods in Principles and the results were good evidence that collectives can operate at higher levels when they are open and honest about and can see past their cognitive flaws. | The book I wish I had as a young entrepreneur. | Wow. So dense with wisdom that I wanted to highlight almost every paragraph. Instead, I skipped Part 1, about his background, because in the intro he recommends you skip it. I also skipped Part 3, about work principles, since they were all collaborative groupstuff, and I?m not working with anyone now. So here are my notes just from Part 2, ?Life Principles?, which were so good I?ll probably reread this book again next year. Caveat: it?s mostly so highlevel ? (?Decide what is true, then decide what to do about it.?) ? that they?re more like koans to spark your own thoughts, instead of specific ?do this? type advice. | Wow. So dense with wisdom that I wanted to highlight almost every paragraph. Instead, I skipped Part 1, about his background, because in the intro he recommends you skip it. I also skipped Part 3, about work principles, since they were all collaborative groupstuff, and I’m not working with anyone now. So here are my notes just from Part 2, “Life Principles”, which were so good I’ll probably reread this book again next year. Caveat: it’s mostly so highlevel — (“Decide what is true, then decide what to do about it.”) — that they’re more like koans to spark your own thoughts, instead of specific “do this” type advice.

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James Clear

Author of Atomic Habits

8. I remember this book shaping up and validating so many of my leadership principles. @RayDalio did a masterful job here. | @JonUrbonas @RayDalio Such an amazing book! | @RayDalio The book is great and insightful in many ways. Thanks. Still working on it. | @taadelodun @RayDalio It’s a great book! Highly recommended! | A masterpiece It's a mustread! | Beautifully written and filled with such wisdom. | Had a profound positive impact on my leeadership style. | I highly, highly recommend this book. It has already changed how I think about making decisions in my life and in my business. | I'm obsessed with @RayDalio. His book Principles changed my approach to business. In fact, it's the most powerful business book I've ever read. Now he's turned it into a super punchy and impactful animated series. You MUST watch this. | It is the best gift I have ever received and will cherish it for life. Ray is a genius beyond description and this book will go down in history as one of the most significant guides to great success and achievement to ever be written. | Ray Dalio has provided me with invaluable guidance and insights that are now available to you in Principles. | Ray Dalio is a great guy and has a great book out you all need to get called Principles. It’s a major key. | Ray Dalio’s market acumen is legendary, but it was creating and living by a set of principles that allowed him to reach the top. Everyone with goals and dreams can learn from Ray’s approach. | So many to pick from in this amazing book. I’m focused on radical truth and radical transparency. Toughest and most uncomfortable to do, both personally and through work, but also the most freeing and impactful. I’ve committed to weekly progress. | The author Ray Dalio open sourced Bridgewater’s methods in Principles and the results were good evidence that collectives can operate at higher levels when they are open and honest about and can see past their cognitive flaws. | The book I wish I had as a young entrepreneur. | Wow. So dense with wisdom that I wanted to highlight almost every paragraph. Instead, I skipped Part 1, about his background, because in the intro he recommends you skip it. I also skipped Part 3, about work principles, since they were all collaborative groupstuff, and I?m not working with anyone now. So here are my notes just from Part 2, ?Life Principles?, which were so good I?ll probably reread this book again next year. Caveat: it?s mostly so highlevel ? (?Decide what is true, then decide what to do about it.?) ? that they?re more like koans to spark your own thoughts, instead of specific ?do this? type advice. | Wow. So dense with wisdom that I wanted to highlight almost every paragraph. Instead, I skipped Part 1, about his background, because in the intro he recommends you skip it. I also skipped Part 3, about work principles, since they were all collaborative groupstuff, and I’m not working with anyone now. So here are my notes just from Part 2, “Life Principles”, which were so good I’ll probably reread this book again next year. Caveat: it’s mostly so highlevel — (“Decide what is true, then decide what to do about it.”) — that they’re more like koans to spark your own thoughts, instead of specific “do this” type advice.

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A

8. I remember this book shaping up and validating so many of my leadership principles. @RayDalio did a masterful job here. | @JonUrbonas @RayDalio Such an amazing book! | @RayDalio The book is great and insightful in many ways. Thanks. Still working on it. | @taadelodun @RayDalio It’s a great book! Highly recommended! | A masterpiece It's a mustread! | Beautifully written and filled with such wisdom. | Had a profound positive impact on my leeadership style. | I highly, highly recommend this book. It has already changed how I think about making decisions in my life and in my business. | I'm obsessed with @RayDalio. His book Principles changed my approach to business. In fact, it's the most powerful business book I've ever read. Now he's turned it into a super punchy and impactful animated series. You MUST watch this. | It is the best gift I have ever received and will cherish it for life. Ray is a genius beyond description and this book will go down in history as one of the most significant guides to great success and achievement to ever be written. | Ray Dalio has provided me with invaluable guidance and insights that are now available to you in Principles. | Ray Dalio is a great guy and has a great book out you all need to get called Principles. It’s a major key. | Ray Dalio’s market acumen is legendary, but it was creating and living by a set of principles that allowed him to reach the top. Everyone with goals and dreams can learn from Ray’s approach. | So many to pick from in this amazing book. I’m focused on radical truth and radical transparency. Toughest and most uncomfortable to do, both personally and through work, but also the most freeing and impactful. I’ve committed to weekly progress. | The author Ray Dalio open sourced Bridgewater’s methods in Principles and the results were good evidence that collectives can operate at higher levels when they are open and honest about and can see past their cognitive flaws. | The book I wish I had as a young entrepreneur. | Wow. So dense with wisdom that I wanted to highlight almost every paragraph. Instead, I skipped Part 1, about his background, because in the intro he recommends you skip it. I also skipped Part 3, about work principles, since they were all collaborative groupstuff, and I?m not working with anyone now. So here are my notes just from Part 2, ?Life Principles?, which were so good I?ll probably reread this book again next year. Caveat: it?s mostly so highlevel ? (?Decide what is true, then decide what to do about it.?) ? that they?re more like koans to spark your own thoughts, instead of specific ?do this? type advice. | Wow. So dense with wisdom that I wanted to highlight almost every paragraph. Instead, I skipped Part 1, about his background, because in the intro he recommends you skip it. I also skipped Part 3, about work principles, since they were all collaborative groupstuff, and I’m not working with anyone now. So here are my notes just from Part 2, “Life Principles”, which were so good I’ll probably reread this book again next year. Caveat: it’s mostly so highlevel — (“Decide what is true, then decide what to do about it.”) — that they’re more like koans to spark your own thoughts, instead of specific “do this” type advice.

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A

8. I remember this book shaping up and validating so many of my leadership principles. @RayDalio did a masterful job here. | @JonUrbonas @RayDalio Such an amazing book! | @RayDalio The book is great and insightful in many ways. Thanks. Still working on it. | @taadelodun @RayDalio It’s a great book! Highly recommended! | A masterpiece It's a mustread! | Beautifully written and filled with such wisdom. | Had a profound positive impact on my leeadership style. | I highly, highly recommend this book. It has already changed how I think about making decisions in my life and in my business. | I'm obsessed with @RayDalio. His book Principles changed my approach to business. In fact, it's the most powerful business book I've ever read. Now he's turned it into a super punchy and impactful animated series. You MUST watch this. | It is the best gift I have ever received and will cherish it for life. Ray is a genius beyond description and this book will go down in history as one of the most significant guides to great success and achievement to ever be written. | Ray Dalio has provided me with invaluable guidance and insights that are now available to you in Principles. | Ray Dalio is a great guy and has a great book out you all need to get called Principles. It’s a major key. | Ray Dalio’s market acumen is legendary, but it was creating and living by a set of principles that allowed him to reach the top. Everyone with goals and dreams can learn from Ray’s approach. | So many to pick from in this amazing book. I’m focused on radical truth and radical transparency. Toughest and most uncomfortable to do, both personally and through work, but also the most freeing and impactful. I’ve committed to weekly progress. | The author Ray Dalio open sourced Bridgewater’s methods in Principles and the results were good evidence that collectives can operate at higher levels when they are open and honest about and can see past their cognitive flaws. | The book I wish I had as a young entrepreneur. | Wow. So dense with wisdom that I wanted to highlight almost every paragraph. Instead, I skipped Part 1, about his background, because in the intro he recommends you skip it. I also skipped Part 3, about work principles, since they were all collaborative groupstuff, and I?m not working with anyone now. So here are my notes just from Part 2, ?Life Principles?, which were so good I?ll probably reread this book again next year. Caveat: it?s mostly so highlevel ? (?Decide what is true, then decide what to do about it.?) ? that they?re more like koans to spark your own thoughts, instead of specific ?do this? type advice. | Wow. So dense with wisdom that I wanted to highlight almost every paragraph. Instead, I skipped Part 1, about his background, because in the intro he recommends you skip it. I also skipped Part 3, about work principles, since they were all collaborative groupstuff, and I’m not working with anyone now. So here are my notes just from Part 2, “Life Principles”, which were so good I’ll probably reread this book again next year. Caveat: it’s mostly so highlevel — (“Decide what is true, then decide what to do about it.”) — that they’re more like koans to spark your own thoughts, instead of specific “do this” type advice.

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D

8. I remember this book shaping up and validating so many of my leadership principles. @RayDalio did a masterful job here. | @JonUrbonas @RayDalio Such an amazing book! | @RayDalio The book is great and insightful in many ways. Thanks. Still working on it. | @taadelodun @RayDalio It’s a great book! Highly recommended! | A masterpiece It's a mustread! | Beautifully written and filled with such wisdom. | Had a profound positive impact on my leeadership style. | I highly, highly recommend this book. It has already changed how I think about making decisions in my life and in my business. | I'm obsessed with @RayDalio. His book Principles changed my approach to business. In fact, it's the most powerful business book I've ever read. Now he's turned it into a super punchy and impactful animated series. You MUST watch this. | It is the best gift I have ever received and will cherish it for life. Ray is a genius beyond description and this book will go down in history as one of the most significant guides to great success and achievement to ever be written. | Ray Dalio has provided me with invaluable guidance and insights that are now available to you in Principles. | Ray Dalio is a great guy and has a great book out you all need to get called Principles. It’s a major key. | Ray Dalio’s market acumen is legendary, but it was creating and living by a set of principles that allowed him to reach the top. Everyone with goals and dreams can learn from Ray’s approach. | So many to pick from in this amazing book. I’m focused on radical truth and radical transparency. Toughest and most uncomfortable to do, both personally and through work, but also the most freeing and impactful. I’ve committed to weekly progress. | The author Ray Dalio open sourced Bridgewater’s methods in Principles and the results were good evidence that collectives can operate at higher levels when they are open and honest about and can see past their cognitive flaws. | The book I wish I had as a young entrepreneur. | Wow. So dense with wisdom that I wanted to highlight almost every paragraph. Instead, I skipped Part 1, about his background, because in the intro he recommends you skip it. I also skipped Part 3, about work principles, since they were all collaborative groupstuff, and I?m not working with anyone now. So here are my notes just from Part 2, ?Life Principles?, which were so good I?ll probably reread this book again next year. Caveat: it?s mostly so highlevel ? (?Decide what is true, then decide what to do about it.?) ? that they?re more like koans to spark your own thoughts, instead of specific ?do this? type advice. | Wow. So dense with wisdom that I wanted to highlight almost every paragraph. Instead, I skipped Part 1, about his background, because in the intro he recommends you skip it. I also skipped Part 3, about work principles, since they were all collaborative groupstuff, and I’m not working with anyone now. So here are my notes just from Part 2, “Life Principles”, which were so good I’ll probably reread this book again next year. Caveat: it’s mostly so highlevel — (“Decide what is true, then decide what to do about it.”) — that they’re more like koans to spark your own thoughts, instead of specific “do this” type advice.

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Recommended by 12 notable people, including Bill Gates and Naval Ravikant

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Proof-backed recommendation

Amazon availability

Reading Profile

Difficulty:hard
Length:Long(592 pages)
Themes:radical truth-seekingsystematized decision making

Should I read this?

This is Dalio’s operating manual for life and work—part memoir, part handbook. He distills his hedge fund’s culture into repeatable 'principles' for radical transparency and systematic thinking. The useful part is the concrete algorithms for error-logging and group decision-making; the annoying part is the cultish fervor around his own brilliance and the implication that his way scales universally. It reads like a boss’s extended memo, sometimes riveting, sometimes eye-rolling.

Read this if...

  • A mid-level manager in a fast-scaling tech company who’s frustrated by opaque CEO decisions and wants to build a case for clearer decision-rights and mistake-embracing processes.
  • A solo financial advisor reconsidering their own investment philosophy after a few painful market swings, looking for a way to turn personal failures into explicit, teachable heuristics.
  • A founder of a 30-person e-commerce business who’s hitting scaling friction because they can’t let go of gut checks and wants a template for systematizing delegation without losing team trust.

Skip this if...

  • You’ll likely put it down when the endless lists of numbered principles start feeling like a corporate compliance manual rather than wisdom. The book is dense and repetitive after the biographical section.
  • You’ll bounce off when Dalio’s tone turns smug and self-congratulatory, framing his own path as the only logical one. The relentless certainty grates after a while.
  • Skip if you’re looking for compassionate, human-centric guidance; the book treats emotions as bugs to be debugged, which can alienate readers wanting empathy. you'll likely put it down once the emotional coldness becomes overwhelming.

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * 5 MILLION COPIES SOLD “Significant...The book is both instructive and surprisingly moving.” —The New York Times Ray Dalio, one of the world’s most successful investors and entrepreneurs, shares the unconventional principles that he’s developed, refined, and used over the past forty years to create unique results in both life and business—and which any person or organization can adopt to help achieve their goals. In 1975, Ray Dalio founded an investment firm, Bridgewater Associates, out of his two-bedroom apartment in New York City. Forty years later, Bridgewater has made more money for its clients than any other hedge fund in history and grown into the fifth…

Before You Buy

Reading Specifications

Difficulty:hard

Length:592 pages (Long)

Themes:
radical truth-seekingsystematized decision makingpain + reflection = progress

Audience Fit

Recommended for:
  • A mid-level manager in a fast-scaling tech company who’s frustrated by opaque CEO decisions and wants to build a case for clearer decision-rights and mistake-embracing processes.
  • A solo financial advisor reconsidering their own investment philosophy after a few painful market swings, looking for a way to turn personal failures into explicit, teachable heuristics.
  • A founder of a 30-person e-commerce business who’s hitting scaling friction because they can’t let go of gut checks and wants a template for systematizing delegation without losing team trust.
Not ideal if you want:
  • You’ll likely put it down when the endless lists of numbered principles start feeling like a corporate compliance manual rather than wisdom. The book is dense and repetitive after the biographical section.
  • You’ll bounce off when Dalio’s tone turns smug and self-congratulatory, framing his own path as the only logical one. The relentless certainty grates after a while.
  • Skip if you’re looking for compassionate, human-centric guidance; the book treats emotions as bugs to be debugged, which can alienate readers wanting empathy. you'll likely put it down once the emotional coldness becomes overwhelming.

Check formats, pricing, and availability options for Kindle, physical print, or audiobooks directly.

View available editions on Amazon

Key themes

radical truth-seekingsystematized decision makingpain + reflection = progressidea meritocracyerror logging

Why recommended

Recommended by 61 sources and appears in CFO, Best Investing Books, and Best Business Books.

Recommended by notable people

People and public figures who have recommended this book.

Recommendation Signals

Recommendation proof is sourced from public posts, interviews, reading lists, and cited references.

R

Reed Hastings

8. I remember this book shaping up and validating so many of my leadership principles. @RayDalio did a masterful job here. | @JonUrbonas @RayDalio Such an amazing book! | @RayDalio The book is great and insightful in many ways. Thanks. Still working on it. | @taadelodun @RayDalio It’s a great book! Highly recommended! | A masterpiece It's a mustread! | Beautifully written and filled with such wisdom. | Had a profound positive impact on my leeadership style. | I highly, highly recommend this book. It has already changed how I think about making decisions in my life and in my business. | I'm obsessed with @RayDalio. His book Principles changed my approach to business. In fact, it's the most powerful business book I've ever read. Now he's turned it into a super punchy and impactful animated series. You MUST watch this. | It is the best gift I have ever received and will cherish it for life. Ray is a genius beyond description and this book will go down in history as one of the most significant guides to great success and achievement to ever be written. | Ray Dalio has provided me with invaluable guidance and insights that are now available to you in Principles. | Ray Dalio is a great guy and has a great book out you all need to get called Principles. It’s a major key. | Ray Dalio’s market acumen is legendary, but it was creating and living by a set of principles that allowed him to reach the top. Everyone with goals and dreams can learn from Ray’s approach. | So many to pick from in this amazing book. I’m focused on radical truth and radical transparency. Toughest and most uncomfortable to do, both personally and through work, but also the most freeing and impactful. I’ve committed to weekly progress. | The author Ray Dalio open sourced Bridgewater’s methods in Principles and the results were good evidence that collectives can operate at higher levels when they are open and honest about and can see past their cognitive flaws. | The book I wish I had as a young entrepreneur. | Wow. So dense with wisdom that I wanted to highlight almost every paragraph. Instead, I skipped Part 1, about his background, because in the intro he recommends you skip it. I also skipped Part 3, about work principles, since they were all collaborative groupstuff, and I?m not working with anyone now. So here are my notes just from Part 2, ?Life Principles?, which were so good I?ll probably reread this book again next year. Caveat: it?s mostly so highlevel ? (?Decide what is true, then decide what to do about it.?) ? that they?re more like koans to spark your own thoughts, instead of specific ?do this? type advice. | Wow. So dense with wisdom that I wanted to highlight almost every paragraph. Instead, I skipped Part 1, about his background, because in the intro he recommends you skip it. I also skipped Part 3, about work principles, since they were all collaborative groupstuff, and I’m not working with anyone now. So here are my notes just from Part 2, “Life Principles”, which were so good I’ll probably reread this book again next year. Caveat: it’s mostly so highlevel — (“Decide what is true, then decide what to do about it.”) — that they’re more like koans to spark your own thoughts, instead of specific “do this” type advice.
View sources (16) ▾80%

Appears In

The Hard Thing About Hard Things
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How recommendation signals are reviewed

Each recommendation is collected from a public source — interviews, articles, or curated lists — and linked to its original URL. Books with many verifiable recommendations from respected people rank higher.