What Are Noble Deeds?

Performing a noble deed is an admirable action that usually involves selflessness, compassion and a desire to do good. A noble deed can be used to help others in need or as a sacrifice made for a specific cause or project.

Noble Definition

According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, someone or something that is noble possesses excellent qualities, superior ideals and high moral standards. For example, a noble person can be described as someone who makes decisions based on high moral practices.

Deed Definition

The Merriam-Webster online dictionary cites a deed as an action or something that is done or performed. Deeds can be good or evil and are usually done in anticipation of some expected outcome.

Noble Deeds

A noble deed can be defined as an action or performance that is done according to high moral standards. Such actions can include aiding the sick or impoverished, selfless acts or random acts of kindness. These kinds of deeds can be performed anywhere by anyone.

Example

A primary example of someone performing noble deeds is Mother Teresa. Mother Teresa was a nun who worked with the impoverished people of Calcutta and who started an open-air school for slum children. In 1950, she started the Missionaries of Charity, an order that aimed to provide charity and care to individuals and groups of people who had no one else to care for them. Her deeds were considered noble because she performed her acts of kindness because of a strong religious calling and the desire to do only good. She received several awards for her efforts, including the Pope John XXIII Peace Prize in 1971, the Nehru Prize in 1972 and both the Balzan Prize and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for promoting international peace.

Considerations

Although a noble deed is supposed to be carried out according to high moral standards, the term "noble" can be subjective and may be interpreted in many different ways. For example, a friend may do something that he believes is a noble deed, but you do not.