Plain
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

Someone might object: 'But a rational person should understand what they're doing.' They say it's natural for social beings to be aware of their good deeds. They want the person they help to notice too. What you say is true, but you miss the real point. You're one of those people I mentioned before. You're fooled by something that only seems reasonable. If you truly want to understand what I'm saying, don't worry. You won't stop doing good for others.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 6 Book 5 · 10 of 52
Doing The Right Thing Knowing Yourself
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

'Nay but,' will some reply perchance, 'this very thing a rational man is bound unto, to understand what it is, that he doeth.' For it is the property, say they, of one that is naturally sociable, to be sensible, that he doth operate sociably: nay, and to desire, that the party him self that is sociably dealt with, should be sensible of it too. I answer, That which thou sayest is true indeed, but the true meaning of that which is said, thou dost not understand. And therefore art thou one of those first, whom I mentioned. For they also are led by a probable appearance of reason. But if thou dost desire to understand truly what it is that is said, fear not that thou shalt therefore give over any sociable action.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 6 Book 5 · 10 of 52
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor

A horse after a race, a hunting dog after the hunt, a bee after making honey — none of them look for praise. The same goes for someone who truly understands their nature. When they do good, they simply move on to the next good deed. Like a vine that bears fruit in season and then gets ready to bear fruit again. You must be one of those people who just does what needs doing, without thinking about it, almost unaware of your own good actions.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 6 Book 5 · 9 of 52
Doing The Right Thing Knowing Yourself
Marcus Aurelius — The Emperor Original

As a horse after a race, and a hunting dog when he hath hunted, and a bee when she hath made her honey, look not for applause and commendation; so neither doth that man that rightly doth understand his own nature when he hath done a good turn: but from one doth proceed to do another, even as the vine after she hath once borne fruit in her own proper season, is ready for another time. Thou therefore must be one of them, who what they do, barely do it without any further thought, and are in a manner insensible of what they do.

Meditations, Book 5, Section 6 Book 5 · 9 of 52
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Ancient philosophy, in plain English.

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