cast one's bread upon the waters

== English == === Etymology === From the Biblical verse “cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.” (Ecclesiastes 11:1) === Verb === cast one's bread upon the waters (third-person singular simple present casts one's bread upon the waters, present participle casting one's bread upon the waters, simple past and past participle cast one's bread upon the waters) (idiomatic) To perform a kind deed or favor without the motivation of any immediate reward or benefit to oneself, though with the possibility of eventual future return.