{"id":9022,"date":"2022-09-11T17:10:05","date_gmt":"2022-09-11T17:10:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=9022"},"modified":"2022-09-11T17:12:01","modified_gmt":"2022-09-11T17:12:01","slug":"no-good-deed-goes-unpunished-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/no-good-deed-goes-unpunished-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"No Good Deed Goes Unpunished \u2013 Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did you try to help someone, and it backfired in your face? You could say that no good deed goes unpunished<\/em><\/strong>. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.<\/p>\n

Meaning<\/h2>\n

The expression \u2018no good deed goes unpunished\u2019<\/em> means that you tried to help someone or add value to a situation, only to create the opposite of the intended result.<\/u> \u2018No good deed goes unpunished\u2019<\/em> means that people will suffer at the hands of those they try to help. <\/u><\/p>\n

If you genuinely attempt to help or assist someone<\/u>, and it doesn\u2019t work out as you expect,<\/u> with the person getting angry at you, you could say that \u2018no good deed goes unpunished.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

Example Usage<\/h2>\n

\"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.\"<\/p>\n

\"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.\"<\/p>\n

\"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.\"<\/p>\n

\"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.\"<\/p>\n

\"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.'<\/p>\n

\"Be careful with your actions. No good deed goes unpunished, and you might not get the expected outcome.\"<\/p>\n

\"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.\"<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

Origin<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"left no good deed unpunished, no bad one unrewarded.\"<\/p>\n

Thomas Aquinas wrote the 'Summa Theologica,' where the expression appears as follows.<\/p>\n

\"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.\"<\/p>\n

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.\"<\/p>\n

David Helvarg wrote a piece for Grist Magazine in 2005, where the phrase appears as follows.<\/p>\n

\"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.\"<\/p>\n