Acting on Principle

Too often we are told to do things for the sake of others, for humanity, etc. That is often outside in thinking and the greatest reason for mixing. Most important it is trying to avoid saying "do it because it's the right thing to do". Saying it's the right thing to do connotes some sort of moral imperative, a principle, a standard by which we should conduct ourselves. I don't litter, not for generations to come but because it is wrong. If I wouldn't trash my own property, I shouldn't trash someone elses whether that someone is my next door neighbor or the highway department.