Reading rank 337
The Bed of Procrustes
, subject: Philosophical aphorisms on uncertainty, knowledge, and modern life, 2010
Taleb’s aphorisms take moments to read, yet one can keep a reader thinking long after the book is closed.
58
Coverage Score
6
Scored evidence
About the book
Taking its title from the Greek myth of Procrustes, the collection challenges the habit of forcing reality to fit tidy models and contrasts classical virtues with modern self-deception.
Why read it
Best if you want a book of compact maxims to keep nearby, read a few at a time, and keep thinking about after you put it down.
Key themes
- A short aphorism can outlast its reading time
- A book to keep within reach
Evidence and original sources
Sources: official Founders episodes — #27, #101, #191, #238
This record is supported by 6 public evidence rows linked to original Founders episodes.
- A Truck Full of Money: Coding, Mania, Love, Genius: The Life of an American Entrepreneur — David includes The Bed of Procrustes while saying he has read and recommends every book in Taleb's Incerto collection.
- Warren Buffett (The Tao of Warren Buffett) — David says the book stays in his living room and that he picks it up every once in a while to read a few aphorisms.
- Naval Ravikant (A Guide to Wealth and Happiness) — David says he keeps The Bed of Procrustes accessible at home and regularly returns to his collections of maxims for brief reading and reflection.
- Jay Z: Decoded — David uses The Bed of Procrustes as an example of keeping short books of maxims nearby so a brief reread can prompt thinking and reinforce important ideas.