---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I always felt that if I did the right…"
description: "\"“I always felt that if I did the right thing, that if I was always polite and kind, well, then I’d be rewarded. In some way. But, it never happened. I ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72a/frances-vick-237860_rewarded_i-always-felt-that-if-i-did-the-right-th_413790.jpg"
---

#  I always felt that if I did the right thing, that if I was…

![“I always felt that if I did the right thing, that if I was always polite and kind, well, then I’d be rewarded. In some way. But, it never happened. I just, people just, expected me to always be like that. It becomes your role, doesn’t it? And so you’re never really valued.’ Marianne’s” quote by Frances Vick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72a/frances-vick-237860_rewarded_i-always-felt-that-if-i-did-the-right-th_413790.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72a/frances-vick-237860_rewarded_i-always-felt-that-if-i-did-the-right-th_413790.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72a/frances-vick-237860_rewarded_i-always-felt-that-if-i-did-the-right-th_413790.jpg)

> ““I always felt that if I did the right thing, that if I was always polite and kind, well, then I’d be rewarded. In some way. But, it never happened. I just, people just, expected me to always be like that. It becomes your role, doesn’t it? And so you’re never really valued.’ Marianne’s””

[Frances Vick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-vick/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

He expected politeness and kindness to be rewarded, but felt unvalued when that didn’t happen, leading to role strain.

**In simple terms:** Politeness didn’t bring expected rewards, causing feeling undervalued.

Key Takeaway

Recognize that kindness may not always be reciprocated.

Themes

Reward kindness politeness expectation role strain

Mood

disappointed thoughtful

Type

reflection observation

When to use this quote

- workplace interactions
- personal relationships
- customer service
- team dynamics
- social expectations

Key Concepts

social exchange theory reciprocity self‑esteem role theory emotional labor

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you balance kindness with self‑respect?
- What expectations do you have of others?

A Different Perspective

Relying on external validation can harm self‑worth.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Kind Rewarded](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kind-rewarded-3683277/) [Like Role](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-role-422062/) [Polite Kind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/polite-kind-3683278/) [Rewarded](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rewarded/) [Right thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-thing/) [Valued Marianne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/valued-marianne-3683275/)

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