The reward of a thing well done, is to have done it.

The line expresses a characteristically Emersonian ethic of self-reliance and inward measure: the true payoff of good work is intrinsic rather than external. Instead of seeking applause, payment, or status as the “real” reward, the saying treats the completed act—done with integrity and skill—as sufficient compensation. It elevates workmanship and moral agency, implying that satisfaction comes from aligning action with one’s standards and conscience. In this view, external rewards are secondary and potentially corrupting; they can distract from the discipline and joy of doing the thing well. The aphorism also suggests a stoic calm: once the deed is rightly done, one need not chase further validation.