Srimad Bhagavat Gita commentary chapter 14 verse 16

 Chapter 14 verse 16 

“It is said the fruit of actions performed in the mode of goodness bestow pure results. Actions done in the mode of passion result in pain, while those performed in the mode of ignorance result in darkness.” 

For every cause there is an effect. For every action which is done with a sense of doer ship, there is an effect of that action. If the action is done in goodness or sattvic mode, the results are good. If the action is driven by desires of self gain, the results will cause pain eventually and if the action is driven by ignorance of the spiritual nature of the being and is detrimental to the broader nature and fellow beings, the result will not bode well for the individual.