* Victims ask for pity, Survivors look for challenge. * Victims worry about who is to blame, * Survivors find a way to make a difference. * Victims complain; Survivors take action.
While almost all societies would regard them as criminals (the exception being frontier or warlike societies where they might become heroes, patriots, or leaders), it's important to distinguish their behavior from criminal behavior.
They cold-bloodedly take what they want and do as they please without the slightest sense of guilt or regret. In many ways, they are natural-born intraspecies predators who satisfy their lust for power and control by charm, manipulation, intimidation, and violence.
The crimes of [pirates] are usually stone-cold, remorseless killings for no apparent reason.
"When I look up there is a tiger sitting. When I look down there is a river flowing."