A transaction on two accounts. A benefaction is already complete in itself: there is you, who have done good (εὖ πεποιηκώς) and another, who has received good (εὖ πεπονθώς) — the act is accomplished, the account closed. To look for "a third thing besides these" (τρίτον παρὰ ταῦτα) — either "to be reputed to have done good" (δόξαι) or "to get a return" (ἀμοιβή) — is, "like fools" (ὥσπερ οἱ μωροί), to misunderstand the nature of the act: a virtuous deed needs no surcharge, because it is its own reward (DOGMAthe sufficiency of virtue).

An economy with no change given. The subtlety is that the demand for a "third thing" devalues the first two: whoever does good for the sake of fame or return has performed not a benefaction but a transaction — the good became a means and thereby ceased to be a good. Marcus's image is constant: the benefactor is "like a vine that has borne its cluster and looks for nothing more" (05-06); to do good and be ill spoken of is "kingly" (7.36). One who seeks recognition is like a vine that, after the cluster, demands a receipt. Cf. also 9.42 (not "where is my thanks?" but "what have I done?"). The governing discipline is action (to do the good); the sustaining one, desire (not to crave a return).