As luck would have it, an ice fisherman happens to’ve just augured a hole. “Mind if I—“ Hicks sliding the festive holiday parcel in, stomping it under the ice as far as he can, “thanks, you’re a real sport,” turning and heading for shore, motioning everybody to keep clear, whereupon—

It is a terrible thing, this kindness that human beings do not lose. Terrible, because when we are finally naked in the dark and cold it is all we have. We who are so rich, so full of strength, we end up with that small change.

The Left Hand of Darkness

He was a hard, shrewd, jovial politician, whose acts of kindness served his interest and whose interest was himself. His type is panhuman. I had met him on Earth, and on Hain, and on Ollul. I expect to meet him in Hell.

Genly Ai, The Left Hand of Darkness