What is the "essence" of something? You can say that it consists in the characteristics, the qualities that make something what it is. But not necessarily how it 'appears'. To make this concept clearer, think of an illusionist. When you see his tricks, you are brought to believe (even if just for a moment), that it is magic, that the illusion is reality. But what you see is the appearance of the trick, not its essence. The former deceives your eyes, the latter is skillfully hidden. Thus, if you consider what a good deed is, it seems that the exterior action is what counts. It may, but only to a certain extent. If its essence (the true feeling behind the action) is selfish, you are the illusionist who tricks himself.
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