When asked about whether or not one should expect a reward when doing a good deed, different people hold different views. Some argue that there should be a reward for a good deed. They explain that without proper and proportionate reward, those who have done good deeds may sometimes find themselves in various dilemmas. For example, in order to help the needed, they often have to sacrifice a large part of their own income and live the rest of the days in poverty.
However, others counter that we should learn from Lei Feng to help others, without ever asking for any reward. According to them, helping others is, in fact, an indispensable part of our virtues, so we are obligated to help those in trouble. Besides, if we can all help each other, we can also do our bits to build up a harmonious society.
As for me, it’s neither good nor bad to expect a reward when doing a good deed. What really matters is that we should, first of all, take the initiative to help, instead of clinging to the worldly principle that “no reward, no offer”.
昂立四六级张梦琳
When I was in my primary school, I was always told by teachers and my parents that one should not expect any kind of reward when you did a good deed. I took this for granted for many years and I do believe it nowadays.
At least, when you are doing a good deed, that means you know what you are doing is fine and helpful to others and maybe you don’t expect a reward at all at that time. I’m sure most of the people don’t. That’s not because of your expectation of the rewards you did it, it’s because you want to do it, and so you don’t expect any kind of reward. For instance, you see a blind man crossing the road and you tell him the direction, warn him to be careful about the passing traffic and you support him with your hands until to the other side of the road. Did you expect a reward when you are doing all these?
So the point is not about “should” or “shouldn’t”, it’s just about what you think is “should”; if you do expect a reward, I don’t think you would do the good deed at the very beginning. Doing good deeds is something that makes you feel happy and rewarding, no matter whether you receive any reward or not.
昂立四六级王萌
Lei Feng, a communist soldier, who “devoted his limited life to the limitless cause of serving the people”, has long been set as an outstanding example to encourage us to spare no efforts to help those in need, whereas, with the passage of time, people voice different opinions towards doing good deeds.
Some insists “A good turn deserves another”, as the old saying goes, which indicates that a good deed ought to bring about a reward, the motivation or the stimulus for the favor. Meanwhile, others believe good deeds belong to voluntary work, purely out of willingness, which has nothing to do with expectation for rewards.
As to me, good deeds are supposed to result from spontaneous reaction confronted with certain circumstances, ranging from giving up one seat to a silver-haired passenger aboard the bus, donating blood to the designated organization by Red Cross to traveling to the remote and poverty-stricken areas to serve as a volunteer for a whole year. In short, rewards are by no means the trigger or purpose for intention of conducting good deeds, no matter how trivial or stunning they are.
Part Ⅱ Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning)