From critique, the quote naturally turns toward integrity: doing what is right or meaningful even when no one is watching. Philosophers have long treated this as a measure of character; for instance, Plato’s *Republic* (c. 375 BC) explores whether a person would remain just without external consequences, a thought experiment that parallels the tree’s indifferent calm toward praise.
Similarly, modern motivation research distinguishes intrinsic motivation—acting for inherent satisfaction—from extrinsic rewards. The tree becomes a symbol of the intrinsic: it flowers because that is what it is made to do, not because it will be applauded. [...]
