My favorite uncle, who I always have considered a pretty savvy businessman and a great guy - used to frequently say to me "No good deed goes unpunished" - now, I'm not sure if it is true or if it is simply confirmation bias on my part - but in a little more than half-a-century on this planet. I've found it to be true.
Let me explain a bit.
You see a situation that you think you are empowered to make better. You make a little bit (or a lot) of a sacrifice or effort - meaning you put yourself out there - generally in a way where you lose - but given that we are all selfish on some level - you may be doing it to feel good, get good karma, impress someone, or maybe you are that rare bird that actually wants to help your fellow human - none of that matters - the point is - you lose a little of what you've worked so hard for (time, energy, money) but you do it anyway...
...and then you get shit on. It happens over and over. It's this occurrence that has often made me think this is hell - an unenlightened viewpoint - but one that I find myself considering from time to time none the less.
In fact though - the truth is probably simpler. Some people are just assholes - and just like when you are on a plane or in an elevator and some inconsiderate person keeps farting - you can't help but notice - even though all the other folks there are holding it in until they can get into the restroom or open air.
So it's not so much that "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished" as it is more of a "Assholes of a certain type, always make themselves known - and usually they look for good deeds to shit on."
Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk. I'll have the visual presentation ready sometime around Christmas.