I confess that I intensely dislike the title of this article. It’s cynical, negative, and is typically used in the context that when someone does something good or helpful, they may experience adverse consequences or hardships as a result. In other words, trying to be kind or altruistic might backfire and lead to problems or difficulties for the person performing the good deed.
The origin of this saying dates back to the 12th Century, and it eventually took on the more current usage in the 20th Century by relating it to hell or karma. It’s even the title of a song in the Broadway and cinematic hit, “Wicked.”
Clearly, it’s withstood the test of time.
Do you think it’s always true that no good deed goes unpunished? It stands to reason, at least to me, that the instances where kindness is genuinely appreciated and where good deeds lead to positive outcomes far outweigh that which may be punished. And do you sometimes wonder whether doing a good deed has an ulterior motive? I’ve heard the terms “brownie points” and “karma credits” when people are discussing their own examples of a good deed. Does intention matter?Here are a few random examples, with far-ranging punishments:
- Not too long ago in Las Vegas, a good Samaritan stopped to help a woman who had pulled over on the freeway with a flat tire. It was late at night, and as the citizen was walking over to help, a drunk driver hit and killed him.
- A friend of mine loaned his truck to a neighbor who was moving some furniture into a storage facility. The neighbor didn’t tie the stuff down adequately and a large headboard fell out of the truck and caused damage to another vehicle, so the owner of that vehicle sued my friend for the damages.
- I once brought a plate of deviled eggs to a family potluck, and so did my sister and my cousin. It was more funny than embarrassing, but all three of us realized that our efforts mostly went uneaten, and inadvertently caused some unnecessary competition.
- When a friend who was going through some hard times borrowed a considerable amount of money from me on a “short-term” basis, it ended up taking more than two years for him to pay me back. His shame (and my nagging) effectively ended our friendship.
These examples highlight that even with the best intentions, outcomes can be unpredictable, and a “good deed” requires not only a kind heart but also foresight, knowledge, and sometimes a willingness to let professionals handle things.
And now, let’s brainstorm:
Does this saying play out differently depending on the social setting; i.e., workplace or family?
What are some different perceptions of the word “punishment?” Do they vary by culture?
Are there broader implications when people fear negative consequences for doing what they perceive to be right?
And finally, how can we navigate the possibility of “punishment” while still encouraging kindness?
Please comment with your input.
