a good deed is its own reward
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
One should not expect a reward for good deeds, but should perform them merely for the satisfaction of doing so.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “a good deed is its own reward” mean?
One should not expect a reward for good deeds, but should perform them merely for the satisfaction of doing so.
Is “a good deed is its own reward” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.