Virtue is not self-conscious

The highest virtue is not virtue is therefore really is virtue. But inferior virtue cannot let go of being virtuous and therefore is not virtue.

Lao Tzu

The highest virtue is not conscious of itself as virtue and therefore really is virtue. Lower virtue is so self-conscious that it's not virtue. In other words when you breathe you don't congratulate yourself on being virtuous but breathing is a great virtue.

Alan Watts

The pride that prides itself on freedom from pride is the hardest of all to bear. Marcus Aurelius