The author distinguishes three libidinal attitudes one person may have toward another: instrumentalism, mutualism, and vectorialism. In the first, the individual is exclusively self-seeking; in the second, he maintains a mutual give-and-take relationship; and in the third, he gives without expecting return. Heroism and self-sacrifice are examined in the framework of this classification and are found to be characteristics of noble, normal individuals. They are not to be confused with masochistic and self-destructive tendencies. The article suffers from a lack of clinical material and the numerous cursory references to the deeds of mythological and historical personages do not compensate for it.