Cf. early 14th-cent. Fr. lune bonté requiert lautre, one good deed deserves another.
O [one] good turne asket another.
[c 1400 in Bulletin of John Rylands Library (1930) XIV. 92]
One good turne requires another. ‥Justly should they haue been set at the vpper end of the table.
[1620 J. Hall Contemplations V. xiv. 28]
One good turne deserves another.
[1638 T. Randolph Amyntas v. vi.]
You've given me the best laugh I've had for months, and one good turn deserves another.
[1929 S. T. Warner True Heart ii. 151]
Noblesse oblige? You know, one good turn deserves another and whatnot.
[1979 T. Sharpe Wilt Alternative xiv.]
Related to: reciprocity
Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.
