Superman has always been DC's beacon of hope not only for the citizens of Metropolis but also for the rest of Earth and other super heroes. When things look really bleak, they look to him for guidance and strength because he is the best of them. In some ways, his godlike powers are just the superficial reason for why he is revered. His real "power" is that he will always seek to protect people, even though he could easily rule over them. He will do the right thing or die trying.
It's true that some writers have written stories where Superman lost his way and became jaded or dangerous, but he's always returned to being the "boy scout" and fought for truth and justice in the end. I suspect that whenever his character was altered to be less honorable, it was just an attempt to boost comic or movie sales by adding more drama and making him easier to relate to for readers.
TLDR: Superman is the ray of light during the darkest of storms. He is not supposed to be the storm. That is Batman's job.
