Is it True That no Good Deed Goes Unpunished?
Lately I have been hearing the same quote over and over again: “No good deed goes unpunished.”
At work, this quote seems to be the norm. People warn me against volunteering because you’ll be “re-volunteered” in the future. Don’t do a good job on a project, because you’ll get more work. Don’t help people, because they’ll just want more help in the future. Don’t be nice, because then people will walk all over you.
Have you ever heard that nice guys finish last? In a way, it ties into the above quote.
Here are some examples that support that I have been punished for some of my good deeds.
Helping a Stranded Motorist
A week or so ago, a guy’s front-left tire had fallen completely off of his vehicle. His car was blocking one lane of traffic and people were dangerously attempting to pass the vehicle.
I parked my vehicle on the side of the road and asked if I could help move the vehicle. The guy scoffed at my attempt at helping.
“Hello? There’s no freakin’ tire on the car. How the heck am I supposed to move it?”
What I wanted to tell him is that a car will still move without a tire, just not easily. He was waiting for help so I can imagine them putting a new tire on the car in the middle of the roadway.
I offered the guy some water, and he just told me to go away.
Giving a Lady a Ride
Last thanksgiving I was driving through Memphis and pulled into a McDonalds to use the restroom. While leaving, I lit up a cigarette. Some lady frantically asked me if I could just give her a ride down the street. She said, “It’s kinda of an emergency.”
I hesitated, and replied back, “Lady, I do not know this city at all. I’m just passing through.”
She again asked and I eventually said OK.
Just as the lady was about to get into my car, her boyfriend stormed out of McDonalds threatening me. I got into my vehicle, locked the doors, and got out of there as fast as I could.
Helping a Runaway
When I was fifteen, my friend showed up at school with several bruises on his face. His parents were beating him. I offered to have him stay at my place. Essentially I was helping him runaway.
A few days later, my dad got a call and asked if I was helping somebody run away. One of my friends at school had ratted us out and my friend’s parents were on to me.
The next day, my friend and I were playing basketball outside and his parents showed up out of nowhere. They immediately started hitting him and threatened to throw me in jail.
The next day my friend showed up at school in brand new clothes and never spoke to me again.
Conclusion
I am of the belief that is a Christian’s duty to help people in need. Whether this good deed goes punished or unpunished shouldn’t matter. We should never be deterred from helping somebody just because of the negative consequences.
On the other hand, I am appalled that a Good Samaritan’s law even needs to exist.
What do you think? Is it true that no good deed goes unpunished?
Join the Discussion (10 Comments)
I believe it’s good that Good Samaritan laws exist, at least I know that I won’t be prosecuted for trying to help someone.
I think that saying NO good deed goes unpunished is an overstatement. It’s not true about ALL good deeds, only about some of them and with certain people. And like you said, we should never get discouraged from helping others or being nice to them only because some jerks we meet on our path.
On the other hand, I think it’s part of a human nature - we get spoiled too quickly, we get many things and people for granted, and unfortunately many people think that others owe it to them to be nice and helpful.
Posted on May 14th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
/agree with inspirationbit about the Good Samaritan laws. Similar logic to passing a John Doe law in order to protect those who legitimately report suspicious activity to authorities (i.e. the flying imams in MN).
Broken record here.
Some good deeds are punished, other are not. “Punished” could probably use some definition, though.
cetroyer
Posted on May 14th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
Unfortunately, I have often felt as if I was being punished for helping others, doing a good job, or just doing what I thought was expected of me. I guess you shouldn’t stop doing what you think is right just because it doesn’t always turn out well, but I admit to avoiding human contact in some cases just to dodge trouble. For example, I’ve come to avoid eye contact with strangers because of the trouble it has brought in the past. Sometimes it just seems like the whole world is crazy. I mean c’mon! You stop to help some guy in trouble, and he just insults you? What’s that about? I really can’t understand why the whole world is in such a bad mood these days. Just one more reason to move to Montana and fly fish for the rest of my life…although I did have some guy in Montana yell at me (rather violently - totally uncalled for) for inadvertantly parking in front of his house, which was indistiguishable from the fly shop next door. Maybe it’s impossible to get away from it. Take care,
Nathan
Posted on May 15th, 2007 at 10:01 am
Off-topic: Julianne Moore kept said that more than once in the movie “Next”, and each time Nicolas Cage looked as if he wanted to ignore her, beat her up or cry.
Sorry, totally off-topic, I think? Unless you tie morales, or any remote possibility of a morale, from the movie into your post. :p
Posted on May 17th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
I stopped helping people a long time ago, i just act like i do not see people, i have helped people, the day after you help them they act is if nothing has happen and do not know you, it is sad to say most people focus more on negative than they do good, one thing i realize is all i can do is control my time and money, i cannot change other people, when helping others always listen to your inner voice if it says no you better listen, the saying no good deed goes unpunished is true.
Posted on October 27th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
fc,
I’ll still continue to help people. One of the reasons I’m learning Spanish is to help those who need translating (and to take some cool vacations). I believe there is a God that rewards us, even if noone on this Earth gives a damn.
Posted on November 8th, 2007 at 9:14 pm
I do like helping people,but i have learned you cannot help everybody,my father taught when helping others do it for your self,i also listen to my inner voice which is 90% right, when doing things for other i always use common sense.
Posted on November 10th, 2007 at 7:50 pm
What is that poem that gives many different senerios for good deeds that are punished but it states, “Do good anyway.” That’s my philosophy. God in heaven knows your good deeds, you do not do good deeds to impress people, but do be like Christ.
So…do good anyway.
Posted on November 29th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
In my opinion you do not help people looking for god to reward you, i still think that no good deed goes unpunished is very true, I have learned my lessons helping people good and bad.
Posted on January 23rd, 2008 at 6:20 pm
I still have not changed my opinion that no good deed goes unpunished, it is sad but the saying is true, i do not mind being nice but i am very cautious out going out of my way for people, it is not the deed in itself it how people react that makes the deed punished, if people were raise right by their parents we would not have any problems with unappreciative people.
Posted on March 21st, 2008 at 9:58 pm