In Ryan Holiday's book "Ego Is the Enemy," he emphasizes the importance of holding onto one’s principles, asserting that true failure lies in abandoning them. He suggests that letting go of what we love out of fear or discomfort is a self-centered and unwise choice. This perspective encourages individuals to stay true to their values, even when faced with difficult decisions.

Holiday also argues that a person’s reputation should be resilient enough to withstand some setbacks. If it cannot endure challenges, then it was never truly valuable. The core message encourages readers to prioritize integrity and resilience over superficial concerns, advocating for a principled approach to life and success.