The answer depends on the "level" of the helper:
- Low-level helpers: They claim to seek no reward but later publicize their deeds extensively, ending up with a tarnished reputation despite their efforts.
- Mid-level helpers: They treat help as a transaction—"you pay, I deliver"—and maintain a pragmatic relationship, leaving room for future cooperation.
- High-level helpers: They act quietly, never boasting, yet their reputation spreads naturally. When opportunities arise again, people instinctively turn to them. As the saying goes, "Do good without seeking fame, yet fame will follow."
When you help others, you always expect something in return—whether the expectations are grand or modest, short-term or long-term, spiritual or material. In fact, expecting rewards is beneficial. Absolute selflessness can hinder social progress. Consider this story from Confucius’ disciples:
Under Lu’s law, any citizen who ransomed a fellow countryman enslaved abroad could claim reimbursement from the state treasury. Zigong once ransomed a Lu citizen but refused the reimbursement. Confucius criticized him: “You are mistaken. From now on, no one will ransom others. Accepting reimbursement does no harm to virtue, but refusing it will discourage future acts.” When Zilu saved a drowning man and accepted a ox as gratitude, Confucius praised him: “Now the people of Lu will surely rescue the drowning.”
Rewards for kindness sustain social cycles. Confucius understood that visible reciprocity—whether material or reputational—motivates continuous altruism, creating a virtuous loop where kindness begets more kindness. To truly benefit society, help should not reject returns but embrace them as fuel for collective growth.