--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Even as the Sun doth not wait for prayers…" description: "\"Even as the Sun doth not wait for prayers and incantations to rise, but shines forth and is welcomed by all: so thou also wait not for clapping of hand..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc9/epictetus-413_accord_even-as-the-sun-doth-not-wait-for-prayer_2674694.jpg" --- # Even as the Sun doth not wait for prayers and incantations… ![“Even as the Sun doth not wait for prayers and incantations to rise, but shines forth and is welcomed by all: so thou also wait not for clapping of hands and shouts and praise to do thy duty; nay, do good of thine own accord, and thou wilt be loved like the Sun.” quote by Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc9/epictetus-413_accord_even-as-the-sun-doth-not-wait-for-prayer_2674694.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc9/epictetus-413_accord_even-as-the-sun-doth-not-wait-for-prayer_2674694.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc9/epictetus-413_accord_even-as-the-sun-doth-not-wait-for-prayer_2674694.jpg) > “Even as the Sun doth not wait for prayers and incantations to rise, but shines forth and is welcomed by all: so thou also wait not for clapping of hands and shouts and praise to do thy duty; nay, do good of thine own accord, and thou wilt be loved like the Sun.” [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Act from inner virtue without seeking external approval; true worth shines like the Sun regardless of applause. **In simple terms:** Do good for its own sake, not for praise. Key Takeaway Serve selflessly, expect no applause. Themes virtue self‑reliance recognition inner strength Mood calm determined Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - leadership - volunteering - personal development - community service Key Concepts Stoicism self‑actualization intrinsic motivation Questions to Reflect On - What actions do you take without expecting thanks? - How does inner confidence change your behavior? A Different Perspective External validation can still affect confidence despite internal resolve. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accord](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accord/) [Accord Thou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accord-thou-2531463/) [Clapping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clapping/) [Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty/) [Hands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hands/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praise/) [Praise Thy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praise-thy-2531461/) [Prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer/) [Shining](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shining/) [Sun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sun/) [Thou Wait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thou-wait-2531462/) [Wait Prayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wait-prayers-2531464/) [Waiting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/waiting/) [Welcomed Thou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/welcomed-thou-2531465/) ## Related quotes > [“Praise to the Lord       1   Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!   O my soul, praise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/praise-to-the-lord-1-praise-to-the-lord-the-almighty-the-king-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In praise of Thy goodness I must confess that Thou didst try with all Thy means to draw me to Thee. Sometimes it pleased…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-van-beethoven/in-praise-of-thy-goodness-i-must-confess-that-thou-didst-try-with-all/) [Ludwig van Beethoven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-van-beethoven/) > [Think not those faithful who praise all thy words and actions, but those who kindly reprove thy faults.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/think-not-those-faithful-who-praise-all-thy-words-and-actions-but/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [“Oh, well that can’t have been me,” Harry smiled grimly, clapping a hand on Malone’s shoulder as he moved past the big man. “You’re…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-england/oh-well-that-can-t-have-been-me-harry-smiled-grimly-clapping-a-hand/) [Stephen England](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-england/) > [Stand-up came naturally to me because people in Ireland talk. But that's not talking on panel shows; it is structured fun. It reminds me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/stand-up-came-naturally-to-me-because-people-in-ireland-talk-but-that/) [Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) > [There was a joke in Czechoslovakia: The Communist Party dance, it's one step forward, two steps backward, and everyone is still clapping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martina-navratilova/there-was-a-joke-in-czechoslovakia-the-communist-party-dance-it-s-one/) [Martina Navratilova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martina-navratilova/) > [There's always the cliche of the choir shouting and clapping. OK, you have to do that, but there's also introspective parts, parts where you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wynton-marsalis/there-s-always-the-cliche-of-the-choir-shouting-and-clapping-ok-you/) [Wynton Marsalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wynton-marsalis/) > [Hope to the last!" said Newman, clapping him on the back. "Always hope; that's dear boy. Never leave off hoping; it don't answer. Do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/hope-to-the-last-said-newman-clapping-him-on-the-back-always-hope/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [Love is not shown by giving your toddler a car. It's better demonstrated by clapping as she bangs on pots or singing to her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-yoffe/love-is-not-shown-by-giving-your-toddler-a-car-it-s-better/) [Emily Yoffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-yoffe/) > [“Crusty and Cross here,' he says and I grin. He’s still playful Fifty. My inner goddess is clapping her hands with glee like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/crusty-and-cross-here-he-says-and-i-grin-he-s-still-playful-fifty-my/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [Being a parent means enthusiastically clapping for any ordinary activity of your child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-a-parent-means-enthusiastically-clapping-for-any-ordinary/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I believe in myself like a five-year-old believes in himself. They say look at me, look at me! Then they do a flip in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kanye-west/i-believe-in-myself-like-a-five-year-old-believes-in-himself-they-say/) [Kanye West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kanye-west/) > [“I did not approve of your action—I was merely congratulating myself. What you mistook for clapping was merely me giving myself multiple high fives.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-did-not-approve-of-your-action-i-was-merely-congratulating-myself/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“In due course I would learn how to cover up for this event, but on that awful day I knew of nothing to say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-pryor/in-due-course-i-would-learn-how-to-cover-up-for-this-event-but-on/) [Karen Pryor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-pryor/) > [Clapping the longest during an assembly because you're a fearless bastard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/clapping-the-longest-during-an-assembly-because-you-re-a-fearless/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Epictetus > [“We are at the mercy of whoever wields authority over the things we either desire or detest. If you would be free, then, do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/we-are-at-the-mercy-of-whoever-wields-authority-over-the-things-we/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Practice yourself, for heaven's sake in little things, and then proceed to greater.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/practice-yourself-for-heaven-s-sake-in-little-things-and-then-proceed/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Do not laugh much or often or unrestrainedly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/do-not-laugh-much-or-often-or-unrestrainedly/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [When men are unhappy, they do not imagine they can ever cease to be so; and when some calamity has fallen on them, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/when-men-are-unhappy-they-do-not-imagine-they-can-ever-cease-to-be-so/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [We are not disturbed by what happens to us, but by our thoughts about what happens to us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/we-are-not-disturbed-by-what-happens-to-us-but-by-our-thoughts-about/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Don't be prideful with any excellence that is not your own](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/don-t-be-prideful-with-any-excellence-that-is-not-your-own/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [You know yourself what you are worth in your own eyes; and at what price you will sell yourself. For men sell themselves at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/you-know-yourself-what-you-are-worth-in-your-own-eyes-and-at-what/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Crows pick out the eyes of the dead, when the dead have no longer need of them; but flatterers mar the soul of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/crows-pick-out-the-eyes-of-the-dead-when-the-dead-have-no-longer-need/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [As a man, casting off worn out garments taketh new ones, so the dweller in the body, entereth into ones that are new.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/as-a-man-casting-off-worn-out-garments-taketh-new-ones-so-the-dweller/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [If you would improve, submit to be considered wihout sense and foolish with respect to externals. Wish to be considered to know nothing; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/if-you-would-improve-submit-to-be-considered-wihout-sense-and-foolish/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [“For it is not death or pain that is to be feared, but the fear of pain or death.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/for-it-is-not-death-or-pain-that-is-to-be-feared-but-the-fear-of-pain/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [What else can I do, a lame old man, but sing hymns to God? 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And I listened…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/i-ve-never-had-a-very-quiet-voice-i-tried-in-choir-to-make-it-smaller/) [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) > [It is a very high mind to which gratitude is not a painful sensation. If you wish to please, you will find it wiser…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/it-is-a-very-high-mind-to-which-gratitude-is-not-a-painful-sensation/) [Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/) > [To act choicelessly is to act in accord with the situation. If someone throws a rock, you duck.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rami-m-shapiro/to-act-choicelessly-is-to-act-in-accord-with-the-situation-if-someone/) [Rami M. Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rami-m-shapiro/) > [“I'm not here to grant you the extraordinary love you never had for yourself. I'm here, on my own accord, to love you. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamand-kojouri/i-m-not-here-to-grant-you-the-extraordinary-love-you-never-had-for/) [Kamand Kojouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamand-kojouri/) > [It is a misfortune that necessity has induced men to accord greater license to this formidable engine, in order to obtain liberty, than can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-f-cooper/it-is-a-misfortune-that-necessity-has-induced-men-to-accord-greater/) [James F. Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-f-cooper/) > [Life is a cutup. And to pretend that you write or paint in a timeless vacuum is just simply . . . not .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-s-burroughs/life-is-a-cutup-and-to-pretend-that-you-write-or-paint-in-a-timeless/) [William S. 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