The principles of paternalistic beneficence and autonomy seem to be contradictory ethic values. However this contrast is less in practice. A psychiatrist acts beneficent if he respects the autonomy of the patient. This article deals with two paternalistic exceptions: compulsory treatment and benevolent actions on the physicians' own initiative. Medicine is paternalistic in essence. Both the patient and the physician exert themselves to improve the wellbeing of the patient.