>

I completely disagree. If a good person does something bad it can be more easily overlooked. Happened to me more than once. If I get mad or do something bad or impolite, ppl will know I was probably right to do so because it is not how I would normally react.
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It’s still not better to be a dick, just more comfortable – you already have to be a dick to choose to be a dick just because you need to be praised when you choose to do something good.
And it’s also not even true – when you generally go out of your way to be nice to people, they’re very quick to forgive you if you do something wrong, because they know your apology is honest. At least in my experience. >

It's not about the need to be praised rather, than not being reproached for the smallest mistakes >

I know a dick who is learning what that means; he's at the top of his field but his career is going nowhere further because people would rather collaborate with friends. 
The trick, OP, is to be a good person with limits - dont let people take it for granted. >

That’s harsh reality. Been through this situation many times.