NO GOOD DEED goes unpunished… Really?
I was reminded again tonight of something
that my brother said to me not too long ago.
“No good deed goes unpunished.”
I’ve heard that phrase before, but
haven’t really understood the meaning.
So tonight, as all good Americans do – I checked The Internet!
And – TA DA!!! Here are the top answers from Yahoo Answers:
* “Often, when people try to help, their efforts go unappreciated. In many cases, the help is resented by the one being helped. ”
* “Have you ever tried to free an animal from a trap? Often they nip you, and frequently they cannot get far enough away from you. It’s an example of a good deed for which you get punished. We had an Attorney General in our state who loved this phrase. I never quite understood what he meant until I was in public office myself. ”
* “It is a cynical view of the Universe meaning good-hearted people will get shafted in the end.
See also Leo Durocher’s quote: “Nice guys finish last.” . ”
* “It means that a lot of times when you do something nice for someone it can end up blowing up in your face, it usually has to do with doing favors for people. . ”
* “No matter how nice you are or how hard you try to do the right thing, bad stuff still happens, people will be rude even after you have helped them or been polite. It is really just sarcasm, but the next time you are nice and it is returned with meanness that is what it refers to… . ”
* “My impression of this statement (and I hear it a lot…) is that if you stick your neck out to help someone, you will be risking yourself (your time, your effort, your invested care, etc.) in some way, and often something negative comes of this outreach- due to the fact that you ARE risking something.. ”
* “I work in a non-profit and often spend a lot of time and effort helping people, occasionally getting taken by someone who isn’t really wanting to change their circumstances so much as they want what others have- even if it means stealing, lying, etc.
Most of the time it’s those who are aren’t generous enough to give of themselves who use this saying as a way to make themselves feel better and justified that they aren’t giving- and even try to make those of us who give feel worse, as though we’re gullible.
I choose to do what I do with more enthusiasm, because it matters. It matters every time, every person. If I suffer some little consequence, I’ll survive. It’s not punishment for a good deed- it’s just a temporary thing, and doesn’t really matter. The positive impact of what happens for those who appreciate help, who go out into the world and pay it back ten-fold, THAT’S where the focus goes!
Cheers! . ”
Now, I’m not sure what to do with this.
Are we to believe that our good deeds will be
met without appreciation, gratitude, or worse?
And if this is true – Will this change anything?
Because the last time I looked, most people with a good heart,
good intentions, and a desire to be kind, considerate and helpful
do it without consulting those around them to see if it’s “OK”.
It reminds me of a story I heard many years ago
about a man opening the door for a woman.
The woman was infuriated that the man had opened
the door for her and meant to verbally scold him saying:
“How dare you open my door just because I’m a lady!”
to which he replied;
“I did not open the door because you were a lady,
I opened it because I am a Gentleman.”
I don’t think I will ever tire of seeing simple acts of kindness
wherever I go, nor will I stifle my own behind a fear of what
someone else’s reaction might be. I can’t control those.
And trust me – I’ve had more than a lifetime of experience
with good deeds met with “punishment”- and how!!!
Still, there are those who appreciate what we have to give,
and we keep on keeping on because compassion and
kindness are gifts that we want to keep on giving 
And sometimes….
sometimes we hear back
