Number two: When he told Howard that his friends would be there for him to help him deal with his mom's passing.

• I had to spell out number two (hee!) because no matter what I did, it would change to a number 1 when I posted - weird!

I wouldn't be surprised if those are the only two times in the entire series.

@Lemons said:

I'm just curious. Is it possible to come up with a list of 10 times when Sheldon was genuinely kind?

1.The time Sheldon went into Penny's bedroom and asked her not to hurt his friend when she was considering breaking up with Leonard.

Lemons, there are a number of instances, so if we are permitted more than one per poster, I'll add these to the already excellent examples...

1. He willingly lends Penny however much she needs to pay her rent and other expenses.

2. He gives a percentage of his invention earnings to Baby Wolowitz.

3. He is extremely attentive to Amy when she has the flu.

4. He arranges a pleasant evening for Bernadette during her pregnancy, even creating a personalised version of Dungeons and Dragons.

5. He goes out of his way to make Dr. Plimpton's visit comfortable.

6. Despite their mutual disdain for the practice, he sends Beverly flowers after her surgery.

7. He ensures the success of Penny's hair ornament enterprise by streamlining it and enlisting the help of the other chaps.

8. He "sacrifices" himself so the team can win the paintball tournament.

9. Despite being terrified and inexperienced, he drives Penny to the Emergency Room. (One presumes she rejects his entirely sensible suggestion of a taxi for creative and comedic reasons.)

10. He saves Leonard from certain death by disposing of a rocket in the elevator. He further spares Leonard by keeping the information from the landlord and security agencies.

Other examples are his genuine concern about Leonard's septum surgery during an earthquake, and his anger at Jimmy Speckerman, Leonard's childhood bully.

@synchary said:

Lemons, there are a number of instances, so if we are permitted more than one per poster, I'll add these to the already excellent examples...

1. He willingly lends Penny however much she needs to pay her rent and other expenses.

2. He gives a percentage of his invention earnings to Baby Wolowitz.

3. He is extremely attentive to Amy when she has the flu.

4. He arranges a pleasant evening for Bernadette during her pregnancy, even creating a personalised version of Dungeons and Dragons.

5. He goes out of his way to make Dr. Plimpton's visit comfortable.

6. Despite their mutual disdain for the practice, he sends Beverly flowers after her surgery.

7. He ensures the success of Penny's hair ornament enterprise by streamlining it and enlisting the help of the other chaps.

8. He "sacrifices" himself so the team can win the paintball tournament.

9. Despite being terrified and inexperienced, he drives Penny to the Emergency Room. (One presumes she rejects his entirely sensible suggestion of a taxi for creative and comedic reasons.)

10. He saves Leonard from certain death by disposing of a rocket in the elevator. He further spares Leonard by keeping the information from the landlord and security agencies.

Other examples are his genuine concern about Leonard's septum surgery during an earthquake, and his anger at Jimmy Speckerman, Leonard's childhood bully.

Synchary, those are all excellent examples! I, too, had thought of the times when he loaned money to Penny and took care of Amy when she was sick. I have to admit that I'm a huge fan of Sheldon's, and this thread, in part, was a time to remember that there is some good in him. Thanks for all of your answers! Each one made me smile.

So we're up to about 14 now if anyone has any others!

@Lemons said:

So we're up to about 14 now if anyone has any others!

He hired Raj in order to help Raj with his immigration problem.

@FormerlyKnownAs said:

@Lemons said:

So we're up to about 14 now if anyone has any others!

He hired Raj in order to help Raj with his immigration problem.

I believe Schrödinger's Cat was his way of giving advice to Leonard and Penny about whether they should pursue a relationship.

Seems like each of those can be explained in some way that comes from Sheldon's selfishness/self-centeredness, rather than "kindness."

@Knixon said:

Seems like each of those can be explained in some way that comes from Sheldon's selfishness/self-centeredness, rather than "kindness."

I think there have been some times when Sheldon was nice for his own personal gain, like the time he wanted to go to Switzerland with Leonard and made him a special breakfast. However I do think all of the examples in this thread were pure acts of kindness with no agenda.

Well, he's even said that he doesn't want Leonard to be upset because it makes it harder for HIM - Sheldon - to live with him. And he's said that he was just getting Leonard to be "an acceptable conduit for my will" when Penny showed up "with your fancy genitals" etc. So it isn't difficult to find a reason why Sheldon would be "kind" just to make things easier on himself. The same could apply to "don't hurt my friend." If Penny had broken up with Leonard, he - Leonard - would have been very difficult to live with, maybe getting a cat, etc. And even with the money for example, it didn't matter to him - he didn't NEED the money HIMSELF, he wasn't even cashing those checks! - so lending money to Penny may not have been "kind" so much as getting her to be indebted to him.

Better watch what you say Knixon. Sheldon's gonna call you a poopyhead.

Or 'splode your brain.

@Knixon said:

And even with the money for example, it didn't matter to him - he didn't NEED the money HIMSELF, he wasn't even cashing those checks! - so lending money to Penny may not have been "kind" so much as getting her to be indebted to him.

But he never asked for the money back and not once did he make any remarks about it. He even offered more. She just built up this guilt complex in her head, which led to Leonard demanding Kurt give Penny the $1,800 he owed her (and we all know how that went).

He didn't NEED the money back. And not asking for the money back, keeps her feeling indebted to him. Is that a surprise?

@Knixon said:

He didn't NEED the money back. And not asking for the money back, keeps her feeling indebted to him. Is that a surprise?

Sheldon doesn't like people being indebted to each other. That's why he hates Christmas presents.

Sheldon doesn't like being indebted to other people. He seems less concerned about having others indebted to HIM.

@Knixon said:

Sheldon doesn't like being indebted to other people. He seems less concerned about having others indebted to HIM.

I had a feeling you'd say that Knixon. Regardless, Sheldon never asked for anything in return when he loaned Penny the money. That squashes your indebtedness theory.