You're not supposed to talk about your good deeds, I know. It effectively negates them and in the process makes people hate you. If there's a disaster, for instance, and someone tells me he donated five thousand dollars to the relief effort-this while I gave a lesser amount, or nothing at all-I don't think, Goodness, how bighearted you are, but, rather, Fuck you for making me look selfish.
In the passage, the author reflects on the social norms surrounding the discussion of one's charitable acts. He acknowledges that boasting about one's good deeds can diminish their value and even provoke resentment from others. The sentiment expressed reveals the discomfort that arises when individuals compare their generosity to that of others, often leading to negative feelings rather than admiration.
Specifically, the author describes a scenario where someone reveals a substantial donation made during a crisis. Instead of feeling inspired, he feels overshadowed and selfish for not contributing as much. This reveals a deeper critique of how self-promotion can alter perceptions in social interactions, highlighting the complexities of human responses to generosity and comparison.
