The quality of mercy is not strained;
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the read more

The quality of mercy is not strained;
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest;
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown.
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;
But mercy is above this scept'red sway;
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings;
It is an attribute to God himself,
And earthly power doth then show likest God's
When mercy seasons justice.

Human beings are not condemned, because of their biological constitution, to annihilate each other or to be at the mercy read more

Human beings are not condemned, because of their biological constitution, to annihilate each other or to be at the mercy of a cruel, self-inflicted fate.

To be able under all circumstances to practice five things constitutes perfect virtue; these five things are gravity, generosity of read more

To be able under all circumstances to practice five things constitutes perfect virtue; these five things are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness and kindness.

He who confers a favor should at once forget it, if he is not to show a sordid ungenerous spirit. read more

He who confers a favor should at once forget it, if he is not to show a sordid ungenerous spirit. To remind a man of a kindness conferred and to talk of it, is little different from reproach.

Choose being kind over being right, and you'll be right every time.

Choose being kind over being right, and you'll be right every time.

Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to read more

Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meanness.

All the passions make us commit faults; love makes us commit the most ridiculous ones.

All the passions make us commit faults; love makes us commit the most ridiculous ones.

The Romans assisted their allies and friends, and acquired
friendships by giving rather than receiving kindness.
[Lat., Sociis read more

The Romans assisted their allies and friends, and acquired
friendships by giving rather than receiving kindness.
[Lat., Sociis atque amicis auxilia portabant Romani, magisque
dandis quam accipiundis beneficiis amicitias parabant.]

Though he was rough, he was kindly.

Though he was rough, he was kindly.