Did you try to help someone, and it backfired in your face? You could say that no good deed goes unpunished. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The expression ‘no good deed goes unpunished’ means that you tried to help someone or add value to a situation, only to create the opposite of the intended result. ‘No good deed goes unpunished’ means that people will suffer at the hands of those they try to help.
If you genuinely attempt to help or assist someone, and it doesn’t work out as you expect, with the person getting angry at you, you could say that ‘no good deed goes unpunished.’
Example Usage
"All I tried to do was make things better for everyone, and now you're all upset at me. I guess no good deed goes unpunished."
"I implemented a new system at work that I thought could make a difference to the company. Turns out I was wrong, and the boss got angry with me. No good deed goes unpunished."
"I decided to book a surprise vacation for my partner and me. Turns out I picked the wrong place, and they're upset with me. Oh well, no good deed goes unpunished."
"I spent hours correcting the editing mistakes in the video to try and get more views. Turns out it got less than average. I guess no good deed goes unpunished."
"I rescued a dog from the side of the road and took it to the vet for a checkup. The poor thing died the next day. I suppose no good deed goes unpunished.'
"Be careful with your actions. No good deed goes unpunished, and you might not get the expected outcome."
"I moved the stock out of the way into a corner to make more room. Turns out the manager accused me of trying to steal it and fired me. No good deed goes unpunished."
Origin
The expression 'no good deed goes unpunished' originates from 'De nugis curialium,' published by Walter Map in the 12th century. The phrase appears as follows.
"left no good deed unpunished, no bad one unrewarded."
Thomas Aquinas wrote the 'Summa Theologica,' where the expression appears as follows.
"For as punishment is to the evil act, so is reward to a good act. Now no evil deed is unpunished by God, the just judge. Therefore no good deed is unrewarded, and so every good deed merits some good."
The modern version of the expression 'no good deed goes unpunished' appears in the title of a satirical poem written by Franklin Pierce Adams, "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished."
David Helvarg wrote a piece for Grist Magazine in 2005, where the phrase appears as follows.
"Remember that sign they hung up in an EPA office during the Reagan administration, 'No good deed goes unpunished?' Under George Bush, no good science goes unpunished."
Phrases Similar to No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
- Woe unto those who repay evil for good.
- Repay good with evil.
Phrases Opposite to No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
- Good deeds brings good returns.
What is the Correct Saying?
- No good deed goes unpunished.
Ways People May Say No Good Deed Goes Unpunished Incorrectly
Using the phrase to describe severe punishment for doing something good is incorrect. The proverb applies to situations where you feel you tried to help, but it backfires on you. The punishment is the disappointment of things not working out as expected.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
You can use the proverbial phrase 'no good deed goes unpunished' when you do something nice for someone, and it backfires, causing the opposite effect of what you intended. The phrase suits social and professional situations.
Use it at the office when the boss chews you out for trying to be innovative. Use it with friends when you take people out for dinner, only to receive bad food and terrible service. The phrase is suitable for text communications and verbal exchanges.