I just have to say, it depends a lot on the motivation. Am I being "good" to get accepted, or am I being good because it's who I am inside. Is there a payoff, in terms of acceptance, or is it because I am simply doing what's right? It's easy, BTW, for me to lie to myself about my motivation. I tell myself I am only doing what's right, but subconsciously, I am trying to get others to see how good I am. The biggest tricks I fall for are the ones I play on myself, if you know what I mean.
As far as sarcasm goes, again I believe it's in the motivation. Am I trying to hurt someone or "put them in their place?" Or am I simply reveling in the irony of the situation? I don't think I could ever give up sarcasm. George Carlin is one of my heroes!
L