For sheep don't throw up the grass to show the shepherds how much they have eaten; but, inwardly digesting their food, they outwardly produce wool and milk.
In Epictetus' work, he illustrates a profound lesson about the nature of productivity and the value of internal growth. He compares sheep to individuals, suggesting that just as sheep do not exhibit their consumption of grass to their shepherds, people should not feel the need to flaunt their efforts or achievements outwardly. The emphasis is on the quiet, internal process of growth and reflection rather than on external validation.
This metaphor...