Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Some people do a good deed and immediately expect something back. They keep score and demand payment. Others don't ask for anything in return, but they still think the person owes them. They remember exactly what they did. Then there are those who do good and don't even think about it afterward. They're like a grapevine that produces grapes and is satisfied with that — it doesn't look for any reward.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 6 Book 5 · 8 of 52
Doing The Right Thing Human Nature
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Such there be, who when they have done a good turn to any, are ready to set them on the score for it, and to require retaliation. Others there be, who though they stand not upon retaliation, to require any, yet they think with themselves nevertheless, that such a one is their debtor, and they know as their word is what they have done. Others again there be, who when they have done any such thing, do not so much as know what they have done; but are like unto the vine, which beareth her grapes, and when once she hath borne her own proper fruit, is contented and seeks for no further recompense.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 6 Book 5 · 8 of 52
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Don't you see how many things you could have done and shown, despite any excuse about natural weakness or inability? Yet you still choose to stay down and discouraged. Will you really say that your natural makeup forces you to complain, to be petty and miserable, to flatter others, to accuse people one moment and try to please them the next, to pamper your body, to be vain, to be scattered and restless in your thoughts? No - the gods are my witnesses - you could have been free of all these things long ago. You would only have had to accept being called somewhat slow and dull. You should work on this weakness without being too hard on yourself about it, but also without taking pride in it.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 5 Book 5 · 7 of 52
Knowing Yourself Doing The Right Thing
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

Doest not thou perceive, how many things there be, which notwithstanding any pretence of natural indisposition and unfitness, thou mightest have performed and exhibited, and yet still thou doest voluntarily continue drooping downwards? Or wilt thou say that it is through defect of thy natural constitution, that thou art constrained to murmur, to be base and wretched to flatter; now to accuse, and now to please, and pacify thy body: to be vainglorious, to be so giddy-headed., and unsettled in thy thoughts? nay (witnesses be the Gods) of all these thou mightest have been rid long ago: only, this thou must have been contented with, to have borne the blame of one that is somewhat slow and dull, wherein thou must so exercise thyself, as one who neither doth much take to heart this his natural defect, nor yet pleaseth himself in it.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 5 Book 5 · 7 of 52
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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