Meditations, Book 4, Section 16

Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

For anything that is naturally good in you, we can set aside objections about that for now. Whatever is beautiful and good is so by its own nature. It doesn't need praise to complete it. Something that is praised doesn't become better or worse because of the praise. This applies even to things we commonly call beautiful and good - whether they're valued for their material or craftsmanship. As for what is truly good, what more does it need than justice or truth? What more than kindness and humility? Do any of these become good or beautiful because they're praised? Do they suffer damage when criticized? Does an emerald become worse if no one praises it? Does gold, ivory, or purple? Is there anything - even something as ordinary as a knife, a flower, or a tree - that changes because of what people say about it?

Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

For as for that, that it is the gift of nature, whatsoever is commended in thee, what might be objected from thence, let that now that we are upon another consideration be omitted as unseasonable. That which is fair and goodly, whatsoever it be, and in what respect soever it be, that it is fair and goodly, it is so of itself, and terminates in itself, not admitting praise as a part or member: that therefore which is praised, is not thereby made either better or worse. This I understand even of those things, that are commonly called fair and good, as those which are commended either for the matter itself, or for curious workmanship. As for that which is truly good, what can it stand in need of more than either justice or truth; or more than either kindness and modesty? Which of all those, either becomes good or fair, because commended; or dispraised suffers any damage? Doth the emerald become worse in itself, or more vile if it be not commended? Doth gold, or ivory, or purple? Is there anything that doth though never so common, as a knife, a flower, or a tree?