Epictetus warned against handing your sense of self to the crowd. If your peace depends on praise, then anyone can take it from you with a frown. He didn't say to ignore others or stop caring about doing right. He said to anchor your worth in your own conduct, which is yours, rather than in their reactions, which are not. You can do good work and still be criticized. You can be kind and still be misunderstood. When that happens, return to your own honest judgment of yourself. If you acted with care, that's the part that counts—and it stays with you no matter how the room responds.

Inspired by the old idea of character over reputation. Written by Ugo Charles.