Saturday, July 2, 2016

No Good Deed Unpunished

   Don't rely on being thanked, or even acknowledged, for actions of kindness, generosity and concern toward others. Those to whom you do good may be infinitely more intent on stroking their own pride than on appreciating anyone who unwittingly exposes their shortcomings by intervening in their problems. They may vilify you precisely _for_ trying to help.                                                


When you learn this lesson about the commonplace ingratitude of human beings, you will be tempted to turn hard-hearted yourself, saying, "All right, let them fend for themselves!" Please don't do that. Please don't give up on being a giver in a world swarming with takers.                                        
                           

It's always _possible_ that one in fifty persons benefited by your deeds _will_ be sincerely grateful.