Marcus Aurelius · 121–180 CE
Meditations 7.73 — Marcus Aurelius
Translation by George Long (1862)
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 7.73
When thou hast done a good act and another has received it, why dost thou look for a third thing besides these, as fools do, either to have the reputation of having done a good act or to obtain a return?
Cite this passage
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 7.73, tr. George Long (1862)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/meditations/7.73
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, tr. George Long (1862). Text: Standard Ebooks (CC0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesWhen you do something good for someone and they receive it, that is the whole transaction. Do not look for a third thing, such as a reputation for generosity or something in return, as foolish people do.
Themes and situations
- Kindness and forgiveness
- Gratitude
- Reputation and others' opinions
- Virtue and character
- Being angry with someone
- Trouble with a friend
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