---
title: "The impartial spectator"
description: "Adam Smith's test for judging your own conduct instead of relying on applause."
canonical: https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/ego-is-the-enemy/the-impartial-spectator/
updated: 2026-11-03
---

# The impartial spectator

> Adam Smith's test for judging your own conduct instead of relying on applause.

Ryan Holiday's framework, from Ego Is the Enemy, pp. 134 to 182.

Framework 4 of 5 from [Ego Is the Enemy](https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/ego-is-the-enemy/index.md) by Ryan Holiday. Category: Life and thinking.

## The steps

1. **Before you act.** Picture how an indifferent observer would view what you are about to do, resisting the eagerness of passion.
2. **After you act.** Review the action once the passions have subsided and judge it as that observer would.

## Where it comes from

From chapter: PART III: FAILURE, pp. 134–182

## The animation

24 seconds, 4:5, no sound.

- MP4: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/ego-is-the-enemy/the-impartial-spectator.mp4
- MP4, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/ego-is-the-enemy/the-impartial-spectator-dark.mp4
- Still: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/ego-is-the-enemy/the-impartial-spectator.png
- Still, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/ego-is-the-enemy/the-impartial-spectator-dark.png