Actions have consequences, but if you're a cruel bastard the consequences might be that people give you more respect than you "deserve," and if you're smart about it then you can manipulate and torture people your whole life. I've seen the "worst" people, totally abusive and dishonest, commanding the most respect. They have no conscience and they spit on people who don't "fall in line." I just avoid them.
Stupidity and bad luck bring about "comeuppance." There's no such thing as "deserve," at least not objectively, not to the universe.
In relation to "comeuppance," that stuff is not entirely relevant. Frightened goons and croneys/lackeys still show "respect" (and probably feel it as they understand it). They'll also act out the hostile wishes of the cruel bastard they follow. Comeuppance doesn't follow my wishes through them. If I want a good life, I can't get hung up on whether they get what they "deserve." I'm focused on my own things.
And yeah, I've had one of those guys literally yelling at me that "the only respect is fear!" I disagree, but his friends obey him and I'm a loner. There will be no "comeuppance." That's resentfully imagining revenge into the universe. That's how you become warped and hostile. I have things to do. I'm not interested in "comeuppance."