The Courage to Be Disliked
The Japanese Phenomenon That Shows You How to Change Your Life and Achieve Real Happiness
by Ichiro Kishimi
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More Recommenders
“@StephenSeanFord Our past doesn’t predetermine our future. Adlerian psychology rather than Freudian. This book helped me & many around me. | If the title resonates with you, read this book. | It is probably the best book I’ve read in the last couple of years. [...] It’s an introduction to Adlerian psychology, which is sort of antiFreud. [...] Clearly a student of Stoicism, but I think he took it further. His concept of the separation of tasks is probably – maybe that would be another thing I would put on a billboard. But I think it requires a little bit of context and explanation... | It's like this book was written just for me. I came away with so many "aha!" moments that have helped me better understand myself. | Looking for a new nonfiction book to pick up Here are a few of my favorites. What nonfiction books do you recommend | The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga Smash hit in Japan, and easy to see why. Adlerian psychology meets Stoic philosophy in Socratic dialogue. Compelling from front to back. Highly recommend. | The one thing I learnt (and agree with) from the book "Courage to be disliked" is that every problem eventually boils down to interpersonal relationships. It is hard hitting at first to realize this, but the more you meditate on it, the clearer and obvious to becomes. | Wow. A profound little philosophy book from Japan, communicating the psychology of Alfred Adler a rival of Freud. Told as a conversation between an angry student and a patient teacher. A little book so good that I rushed home from other activites to keep reading it, and finished in a day. A surprisingly fresh perspective on how to live. (The ?disliked? part is not the point, so don?t let the title distract you.) | Wow. A profound little philosophy book from Japan, communicating the psychology of Alfred Adler a rival of Freud. Told as a conversation between an angry student and a patient teacher. A little book so good that I rushed home from other activites to keep reading it, and finished in a day. A surprisingly fresh perspective on how to live. (The “disliked” part is not the point, so don’t let the title distract you.)”
Source →“@StephenSeanFord Our past doesn’t predetermine our future. Adlerian psychology rather than Freudian. This book helped me & many around me. | If the title resonates with you, read this book. | It is probably the best book I’ve read in the last couple of years. [...] It’s an introduction to Adlerian psychology, which is sort of antiFreud. [...] Clearly a student of Stoicism, but I think he took it further. His concept of the separation of tasks is probably – maybe that would be another thing I would put on a billboard. But I think it requires a little bit of context and explanation... | It's like this book was written just for me. I came away with so many "aha!" moments that have helped me better understand myself. | Looking for a new nonfiction book to pick up Here are a few of my favorites. What nonfiction books do you recommend | The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga Smash hit in Japan, and easy to see why. Adlerian psychology meets Stoic philosophy in Socratic dialogue. Compelling from front to back. Highly recommend. | The one thing I learnt (and agree with) from the book "Courage to be disliked" is that every problem eventually boils down to interpersonal relationships. It is hard hitting at first to realize this, but the more you meditate on it, the clearer and obvious to becomes. | Wow. A profound little philosophy book from Japan, communicating the psychology of Alfred Adler a rival of Freud. Told as a conversation between an angry student and a patient teacher. A little book so good that I rushed home from other activites to keep reading it, and finished in a day. A surprisingly fresh perspective on how to live. (The ?disliked? part is not the point, so don?t let the title distract you.) | Wow. A profound little philosophy book from Japan, communicating the psychology of Alfred Adler a rival of Freud. Told as a conversation between an angry student and a patient teacher. A little book so good that I rushed home from other activites to keep reading it, and finished in a day. A surprisingly fresh perspective on how to live. (The “disliked” part is not the point, so don’t let the title distract you.)”
Source →“@StephenSeanFord Our past doesn’t predetermine our future. Adlerian psychology rather than Freudian. This book helped me & many around me. | If the title resonates with you, read this book. | It is probably the best book I’ve read in the last couple of years. [...] It’s an introduction to Adlerian psychology, which is sort of antiFreud. [...] Clearly a student of Stoicism, but I think he took it further. His concept of the separation of tasks is probably – maybe that would be another thing I would put on a billboard. But I think it requires a little bit of context and explanation... | It's like this book was written just for me. I came away with so many "aha!" moments that have helped me better understand myself. | Looking for a new nonfiction book to pick up Here are a few of my favorites. What nonfiction books do you recommend | The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga Smash hit in Japan, and easy to see why. Adlerian psychology meets Stoic philosophy in Socratic dialogue. Compelling from front to back. Highly recommend. | The one thing I learnt (and agree with) from the book "Courage to be disliked" is that every problem eventually boils down to interpersonal relationships. It is hard hitting at first to realize this, but the more you meditate on it, the clearer and obvious to becomes. | Wow. A profound little philosophy book from Japan, communicating the psychology of Alfred Adler a rival of Freud. Told as a conversation between an angry student and a patient teacher. A little book so good that I rushed home from other activites to keep reading it, and finished in a day. A surprisingly fresh perspective on how to live. (The ?disliked? part is not the point, so don?t let the title distract you.) | Wow. A profound little philosophy book from Japan, communicating the psychology of Alfred Adler a rival of Freud. Told as a conversation between an angry student and a patient teacher. A little book so good that I rushed home from other activites to keep reading it, and finished in a day. A surprisingly fresh perspective on how to live. (The “disliked” part is not the point, so don’t let the title distract you.)”
Source →“@StephenSeanFord Our past doesn’t predetermine our future. Adlerian psychology rather than Freudian. This book helped me & many around me. | If the title resonates with you, read this book. | It is probably the best book I’ve read in the last couple of years. [...] It’s an introduction to Adlerian psychology, which is sort of antiFreud. [...] Clearly a student of Stoicism, but I think he took it further. His concept of the separation of tasks is probably – maybe that would be another thing I would put on a billboard. But I think it requires a little bit of context and explanation... | It's like this book was written just for me. I came away with so many "aha!" moments that have helped me better understand myself. | Looking for a new nonfiction book to pick up Here are a few of my favorites. What nonfiction books do you recommend | The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga Smash hit in Japan, and easy to see why. Adlerian psychology meets Stoic philosophy in Socratic dialogue. Compelling from front to back. Highly recommend. | The one thing I learnt (and agree with) from the book "Courage to be disliked" is that every problem eventually boils down to interpersonal relationships. It is hard hitting at first to realize this, but the more you meditate on it, the clearer and obvious to becomes. | Wow. A profound little philosophy book from Japan, communicating the psychology of Alfred Adler a rival of Freud. Told as a conversation between an angry student and a patient teacher. A little book so good that I rushed home from other activites to keep reading it, and finished in a day. A surprisingly fresh perspective on how to live. (The ?disliked? part is not the point, so don?t let the title distract you.) | Wow. A profound little philosophy book from Japan, communicating the psychology of Alfred Adler a rival of Freud. Told as a conversation between an angry student and a patient teacher. A little book so good that I rushed home from other activites to keep reading it, and finished in a day. A surprisingly fresh perspective on how to live. (The “disliked” part is not the point, so don’t let the title distract you.)”
Source →“@StephenSeanFord Our past doesn’t predetermine our future. Adlerian psychology rather than Freudian. This book helped me & many around me. | If the title resonates with you, read this book. | It is probably the best book I’ve read in the last couple of years. [...] It’s an introduction to Adlerian psychology, which is sort of antiFreud. [...] Clearly a student of Stoicism, but I think he took it further. His concept of the separation of tasks is probably – maybe that would be another thing I would put on a billboard. But I think it requires a little bit of context and explanation... | It's like this book was written just for me. I came away with so many "aha!" moments that have helped me better understand myself. | Looking for a new nonfiction book to pick up Here are a few of my favorites. What nonfiction books do you recommend | The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga Smash hit in Japan, and easy to see why. Adlerian psychology meets Stoic philosophy in Socratic dialogue. Compelling from front to back. Highly recommend. | The one thing I learnt (and agree with) from the book "Courage to be disliked" is that every problem eventually boils down to interpersonal relationships. It is hard hitting at first to realize this, but the more you meditate on it, the clearer and obvious to becomes. | Wow. A profound little philosophy book from Japan, communicating the psychology of Alfred Adler a rival of Freud. Told as a conversation between an angry student and a patient teacher. A little book so good that I rushed home from other activites to keep reading it, and finished in a day. A surprisingly fresh perspective on how to live. (The ?disliked? part is not the point, so don?t let the title distract you.) | Wow. A profound little philosophy book from Japan, communicating the psychology of Alfred Adler a rival of Freud. Told as a conversation between an angry student and a patient teacher. A little book so good that I rushed home from other activites to keep reading it, and finished in a day. A surprisingly fresh perspective on how to live. (The “disliked” part is not the point, so don’t let the title distract you.)”
Source →“@StephenSeanFord Our past doesn’t predetermine our future. Adlerian psychology rather than Freudian. This book helped me & many around me. | If the title resonates with you, read this book. | It is probably the best book I’ve read in the last couple of years. [...] It’s an introduction to Adlerian psychology, which is sort of antiFreud. [...] Clearly a student of Stoicism, but I think he took it further. His concept of the separation of tasks is probably – maybe that would be another thing I would put on a billboard. But I think it requires a little bit of context and explanation... | It's like this book was written just for me. I came away with so many "aha!" moments that have helped me better understand myself. | Looking for a new nonfiction book to pick up Here are a few of my favorites. What nonfiction books do you recommend | The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga Smash hit in Japan, and easy to see why. Adlerian psychology meets Stoic philosophy in Socratic dialogue. Compelling from front to back. Highly recommend. | The one thing I learnt (and agree with) from the book "Courage to be disliked" is that every problem eventually boils down to interpersonal relationships. It is hard hitting at first to realize this, but the more you meditate on it, the clearer and obvious to becomes. | Wow. A profound little philosophy book from Japan, communicating the psychology of Alfred Adler a rival of Freud. Told as a conversation between an angry student and a patient teacher. A little book so good that I rushed home from other activites to keep reading it, and finished in a day. A surprisingly fresh perspective on how to live. (The ?disliked? part is not the point, so don?t let the title distract you.) | Wow. A profound little philosophy book from Japan, communicating the psychology of Alfred Adler a rival of Freud. Told as a conversation between an angry student and a patient teacher. A little book so good that I rushed home from other activites to keep reading it, and finished in a day. A surprisingly fresh perspective on how to live. (The “disliked” part is not the point, so don’t let the title distract you.)”
Source →“@StephenSeanFord Our past doesn’t predetermine our future. Adlerian psychology rather than Freudian. This book helped me & many around me. | If the title resonates with you, read this book. | It is probably the best book I’ve read in the last couple of years. [...] It’s an introduction to Adlerian psychology, which is sort of antiFreud. [...] Clearly a student of Stoicism, but I think he took it further. His concept of the separation of tasks is probably – maybe that would be another thing I would put on a billboard. But I think it requires a little bit of context and explanation... | It's like this book was written just for me. I came away with so many "aha!" moments that have helped me better understand myself. | Looking for a new nonfiction book to pick up Here are a few of my favorites. What nonfiction books do you recommend | The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga Smash hit in Japan, and easy to see why. Adlerian psychology meets Stoic philosophy in Socratic dialogue. Compelling from front to back. Highly recommend. | The one thing I learnt (and agree with) from the book "Courage to be disliked" is that every problem eventually boils down to interpersonal relationships. It is hard hitting at first to realize this, but the more you meditate on it, the clearer and obvious to becomes. | Wow. A profound little philosophy book from Japan, communicating the psychology of Alfred Adler a rival of Freud. Told as a conversation between an angry student and a patient teacher. A little book so good that I rushed home from other activites to keep reading it, and finished in a day. A surprisingly fresh perspective on how to live. (The ?disliked? part is not the point, so don?t let the title distract you.) | Wow. A profound little philosophy book from Japan, communicating the psychology of Alfred Adler a rival of Freud. Told as a conversation between an angry student and a patient teacher. A little book so good that I rushed home from other activites to keep reading it, and finished in a day. A surprisingly fresh perspective on how to live. (The “disliked” part is not the point, so don’t let the title distract you.)”
Source →“@StephenSeanFord Our past doesn’t predetermine our future. Adlerian psychology rather than Freudian. This book helped me & many around me. | If the title resonates with you, read this book. | It is probably the best book I’ve read in the last couple of years. [...] It’s an introduction to Adlerian psychology, which is sort of antiFreud. [...] Clearly a student of Stoicism, but I think he took it further. His concept of the separation of tasks is probably – maybe that would be another thing I would put on a billboard. But I think it requires a little bit of context and explanation... | It's like this book was written just for me. I came away with so many "aha!" moments that have helped me better understand myself. | Looking for a new nonfiction book to pick up Here are a few of my favorites. What nonfiction books do you recommend | The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga Smash hit in Japan, and easy to see why. Adlerian psychology meets Stoic philosophy in Socratic dialogue. Compelling from front to back. Highly recommend. | The one thing I learnt (and agree with) from the book "Courage to be disliked" is that every problem eventually boils down to interpersonal relationships. It is hard hitting at first to realize this, but the more you meditate on it, the clearer and obvious to becomes. | Wow. A profound little philosophy book from Japan, communicating the psychology of Alfred Adler a rival of Freud. Told as a conversation between an angry student and a patient teacher. A little book so good that I rushed home from other activites to keep reading it, and finished in a day. A surprisingly fresh perspective on how to live. (The ?disliked? part is not the point, so don?t let the title distract you.) | Wow. A profound little philosophy book from Japan, communicating the psychology of Alfred Adler a rival of Freud. Told as a conversation between an angry student and a patient teacher. A little book so good that I rushed home from other activites to keep reading it, and finished in a day. A surprisingly fresh perspective on how to live. (The “disliked” part is not the point, so don’t let the title distract you.)”
Source →“@StephenSeanFord Our past doesn’t predetermine our future. Adlerian psychology rather than Freudian. This book helped me & many around me. | If the title resonates with you, read this book. | It is probably the best book I’ve read in the last couple of years. [...] It’s an introduction to Adlerian psychology, which is sort of antiFreud. [...] Clearly a student of Stoicism, but I think he took it further. His concept of the separation of tasks is probably – maybe that would be another thing I would put on a billboard. But I think it requires a little bit of context and explanation... | It's like this book was written just for me. I came away with so many "aha!" moments that have helped me better understand myself. | Looking for a new nonfiction book to pick up Here are a few of my favorites. What nonfiction books do you recommend | The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga Smash hit in Japan, and easy to see why. Adlerian psychology meets Stoic philosophy in Socratic dialogue. Compelling from front to back. Highly recommend. | The one thing I learnt (and agree with) from the book "Courage to be disliked" is that every problem eventually boils down to interpersonal relationships. It is hard hitting at first to realize this, but the more you meditate on it, the clearer and obvious to becomes. | Wow. A profound little philosophy book from Japan, communicating the psychology of Alfred Adler a rival of Freud. Told as a conversation between an angry student and a patient teacher. A little book so good that I rushed home from other activites to keep reading it, and finished in a day. A surprisingly fresh perspective on how to live. (The ?disliked? part is not the point, so don?t let the title distract you.) | Wow. A profound little philosophy book from Japan, communicating the psychology of Alfred Adler a rival of Freud. Told as a conversation between an angry student and a patient teacher. A little book so good that I rushed home from other activites to keep reading it, and finished in a day. A surprisingly fresh perspective on how to live. (The “disliked” part is not the point, so don’t let the title distract you.)”
Source →“@StephenSeanFord Our past doesn’t predetermine our future. Adlerian psychology rather than Freudian. This book helped me & many around me. | If the title resonates with you, read this book. | It is probably the best book I’ve read in the last couple of years. [...] It’s an introduction to Adlerian psychology, which is sort of antiFreud. [...] Clearly a student of Stoicism, but I think he took it further. His concept of the separation of tasks is probably – maybe that would be another thing I would put on a billboard. But I think it requires a little bit of context and explanation... | It's like this book was written just for me. I came away with so many "aha!" moments that have helped me better understand myself. | Looking for a new nonfiction book to pick up Here are a few of my favorites. What nonfiction books do you recommend | The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga Smash hit in Japan, and easy to see why. Adlerian psychology meets Stoic philosophy in Socratic dialogue. Compelling from front to back. Highly recommend. | The one thing I learnt (and agree with) from the book "Courage to be disliked" is that every problem eventually boils down to interpersonal relationships. It is hard hitting at first to realize this, but the more you meditate on it, the clearer and obvious to becomes. | Wow. A profound little philosophy book from Japan, communicating the psychology of Alfred Adler a rival of Freud. Told as a conversation between an angry student and a patient teacher. A little book so good that I rushed home from other activites to keep reading it, and finished in a day. A surprisingly fresh perspective on how to live. (The ?disliked? part is not the point, so don?t let the title distract you.) | Wow. A profound little philosophy book from Japan, communicating the psychology of Alfred Adler a rival of Freud. Told as a conversation between an angry student and a patient teacher. A little book so good that I rushed home from other activites to keep reading it, and finished in a day. A surprisingly fresh perspective on how to live. (The “disliked” part is not the point, so don’t let the title distract you.)”
Source →Recommended by 12 notable people, including Derek Sivers and Marc Andreessen
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Should I read this?
Recommended by 25 sources and appears in Mental Health, Most Recommended Books, and Philosophy.
"[This book] demonstrates how to unlock the power within yourself to be the person you truly want to be. Using the theories of Alfred Adler, one of the three giants of twentieth century psychology, The Courage to Be Disliked follows an illuminating conversation between a philosopher and a young man. The philosopher explains to his pupil how each of us is able to determine our own life, free from the shackles of past experiences, doubts, and the expectations of others. It's a way of thinking that is deeply liberating, allowing us to develop the courage to change, and to ignore the limitations that we and other people have placed on us. The result is a book that is both highly accessible and…
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Why recommended
Recommended by 25 sources and appears in Mental Health, Most Recommended Books, and Philosophy.
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.
Tim Soret
“@StephenSeanFord Our past doesn’t predetermine our future. Adlerian psychology rather than Freudian. This book helped me & many around me. | If the title resonates with you, read this book. | It is probably the best book I’ve read in the last couple of years. [...] It’s an introduction to Adlerian psychology, which is sort of antiFreud. [...] Clearly a student of Stoicism, but I think he took it further. His concept of the separation of tasks is probably – maybe that would be another thing I would put on a billboard. But I think it requires a little bit of context and explanation... | It's like this book was written just for me. I came away with so many "aha!" moments that have helped me better understand myself. | Looking for a new nonfiction book to pick up Here are a few of my favorites. What nonfiction books do you recommend | The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga Smash hit in Japan, and easy to see why. Adlerian psychology meets Stoic philosophy in Socratic dialogue. Compelling from front to back. Highly recommend. | The one thing I learnt (and agree with) from the book "Courage to be disliked" is that every problem eventually boils down to interpersonal relationships. It is hard hitting at first to realize this, but the more you meditate on it, the clearer and obvious to becomes. | Wow. A profound little philosophy book from Japan, communicating the psychology of Alfred Adler a rival of Freud. Told as a conversation between an angry student and a patient teacher. A little book so good that I rushed home from other activites to keep reading it, and finished in a day. A surprisingly fresh perspective on how to live. (The ?disliked? part is not the point, so don?t let the title distract you.) | Wow. A profound little philosophy book from Japan, communicating the psychology of Alfred Adler a rival of Freud. Told as a conversation between an angry student and a patient teacher. A little book so good that I rushed home from other activites to keep reading it, and finished in a day. A surprisingly fresh perspective on how to live. (The “disliked” part is not the point, so don’t let the title distract you.)”
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Not sure if this is the right fit?
Consider The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy. Recommended by 8 sources.
“Soft-spoken, heavily illustrated fable built from short dialogues and watercolor sketches. Each spread pairs a spare line of text with a loose drawing, so the pleasure is visual and aphoristic rather than narrative; readers collect felt-true sentences more than plot. Most useful when you want quick consolations, a prompt for conversation with a child, or a pause during a rough day. Limiting if you want sustained argument, concrete advice, or tightly plotted storytelling: the repetition of gentleness can feel sentimental or thin after a while.”
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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.
