"A man should be upright, not be kept upright"

This quote by Marcus Aurelius motivates us to take duty for our own actions and to be truthful and upright in our negotiations with others. It suggests that we ought to not depend on external forces to keep us on the ideal course, but rather that we ought to strive to be truthful and ethical in our own right. The quote indicates that we need to be self-disciplined and make every effort to do the right thing, even when it is difficult. It likewise recommends that we should not be swayed by external impacts, but rather that we need to be directed by our own moral compass. Ultimately, this quote encourages us to be sincere and ethical in our transactions with others, and to take obligation for our own actions. It is a tip that we ought to aim to be upright and truthful in our transactions with others, which we must not count on external forces to keep us on the right course.