If a man has a right to be proud of anything, it is of a good action done as it ought to be, without any base interest lurking at the bottom of it.

Most of what people take pride in was partly luck or partly self-interest dressed up. The one thing that is cleanly yours is a good act done properly with nothing in it for you. Such acts are rare, because the hidden angle, the credit or the favour owed, is usually somewhere in the mix.

Look back at a recent thing you felt good about and ask honestly what you got out of it. Not to spoil it, but to find out whether you have done the other kind lately. Then do one this week that nobody will hear about.