A good deed

Random acts of kindness, and charitable schemes

Bring inner warmth that bolsters your self-esteem

Embraced within the comforting arms of selflessness

Discard your ego. Virtue is the emphasis.

Don't yearn for the ovation or self-serving aim

When goodness blossoms, those less fortunate gain,

In those moments of compassion, we truly see,

The epitome of man's inherent humanity.

In the tapestry of life, let love be your thread,

No repayment sought, just goodwill instead.

Don't pursue validation, don't garner applause

Benevolence should be your just reward

No credit indebted, it gratifies us

that if a job's well done, it should satisfy us.

So why, like a fool, yearn for praise and recognition

When engendered smiles are your soul's true nutrition

“When you’ve done well and another has benefited by it, why like a fool do you look for a third thing on top—credit for the good deed or a favour in return?”   

Marcus Aurelius