Are good deeds valueless if bragged about?

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  • leahmstoffel
    leahmstoffel Posts: 18 Member
    OGJake12 wrote: »
    bgorum wrote: »
    OGJake12 wrote: »
    Here's what it comes down to. Nobody ever does a good deed without getting something in return. Now, hear me out. I know that the most respectable thing to do is do nice things without wanting anything in return. BUT, try to think of any good deed ever and why a person does it. A person will conduct a good deed to get either recognition, a specific feeling, specific fulfillment, or a feeling of societal contribution in return. Nobody would perform good deeds if they didn't benefit themselves in some way. That's not to sound selfish, but that's how human beings are driven to do anything.

    I feel a challenge! I'm going to test your theory and see if I can do a good deed without getting ANYTHING in return. Of course I will not be able to share the results of this test as that would immediately result in recognition . . . .



    Right and you also would not be able to even feel good about it. Because that would make it possible that you may have done so to get a good feeling in return. ALSO, you'd be doing this to prove a theory right or wrong. Meaning you'd get a result out of it.

    There is an entire "Friends" episode specifically about this! The One Where Phoebe Hates PBS.
  • BetterThanExpected
    BetterThanExpected Posts: 104 Member
    I don't think that a good deed bragged about necessarily makes it valueless, because I'm assuming it still helped someone. But, on the other hand, it makes it obvious that the only reason you did it was to look like a good person and it says something about your character. I know at least a few people who do things specifically because they know if they do them then people will praise them for being such a good person. I'd personally rather be viewed as a complete *kitten* and commit good deeds that only I and the person/people I helped know about, than brag about how good I'm being whilst knowing somewhere in my brain that bragging about it truly makes me an *kitten*, instead of just looking like one.
  • IllBeBack1Day
    IllBeBack1Day Posts: 982 Member
    I agree to a certain point. As long as you don't over do it. By bragging about it you might just motivate others to do good deeds as well. That just me. But ya,too much bragging takes away from the satisfaction of helping.
  • JackKopCh
    JackKopCh Posts: 8,042 Member
    Kind of agree, but seeing YouTube videos of people doing good deeds always makes me feel like doing it also, so I guess if it is to share awareness, then okay...

    But yeah if it is purely to brag, then nah...
  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
    Maimonides wrote about the levels of charity in the 12th century.
    Good enough rules for me.
  • Vegas_Don
    Vegas_Don Posts: 367 Member
    I agree with op. Acts of kindness are best when it happens anonymously.
  • kinkyslinky16
    kinkyslinky16 Posts: 1,469 Member
    usmcmp wrote: »
    The deed holds value to someone. You don't negate that by talking about it. If you save someone from choking then "brag" about it you still saved their life. How you feel about asking for a pat on the back is up to you.

    I was going to say this same thing.

  • TheRoadDog
    TheRoadDog Posts: 11,788 Member
    A good deed is a good deed, regardless of the intention. The person that benefits from the good deed will still have benefitted.
  • sweetdixie92
    sweetdixie92 Posts: 655 Member
    Alligator423 wrote: »
    I don't think it devalues the deed itself, but the person who did the deed.

    Agreed.

    Too many people feel the need to be recognized in everything anymore. Makes you wonder if they're doing it to get attention and make themselves look good, or if they were genuine.
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