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Marcus Aurelius · Meditations IV.20

What is truly beautiful needs nothing at all — no more than law, truth, benevolence, or modesty. Which of these is beautiful because it is praised? Is an emerald made worse if no one praises it?

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations (Meditations IV.20)

What this means

Marcus argues that real worth is complete in itself and owes nothing to applause. An emerald is no less an emerald unpraised; law, truth, and kindness are no less good unseen. The passage quietly frees you from needing an audience to validate what is already good.

On judgment, simplicity.

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Meditations

Marcus Aurelius · trans. Gregory Hays · Modern Library

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