# Chapter CIX explained — Short Works

> Chapter companion for Short Works by Epictetus.

## What happens

A man rescues a shipwrecked pirate, providing clothing, shelter, and necessities. When criticized for helping a bad person, he defends his action by stating his kindness was directed not at the individual pirate, but at humanity itself.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Duty and Relationship

The man's action exemplifies a duty to humankind, prioritizing the universal bond of humanity over the specific moral character of the individual recipient.

### Practical Ethics and Self-Discipline

The man exercises ethical judgment and discipline by choosing to act on the principle of aiding a fellow human in distress, despite social criticism and the recipient's flawed nature.

## Key lines

> When the man was reproached by a person for doing kindness to the bad, he replied, I have shown this regard not to the man, but to mankind.

When criticized for helping a wicked person, the rescuer explained his kindness was an act for humanity, not for the pirate as an individual.

_Highlights the Stoic distinction between acting on universal principles versus personal attachments or judgments._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/epictetus_short_works_se/chapters/cix
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/epictetus_short_works_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/epictetus_short_works_se/chapters