The object handed in has passed through somebody else’s choice to remain honest.

Every returned wallet had a private moment in it. Somebody stood there with the thing in their hand, nobody watching, and decided, and the fact that this happens constantly is one of the quieter supports of ordinary life. Honesty is rarely dramatic; it is mostly a series of small decisions made by people who will never be identified or thanked.

When something of yours comes back, assume that decision happened and say thank you as though it were not automatic, because it was not. And when the choice is in front of you, remember that it counts most exactly where nobody would know.