Fire, water and government know nothing of mercy.

Fire, water and government know nothing of mercy.

Mercy to him that shows it, is the rule.

Mercy to him that shows it, is the rule.

'Tis vain to flee; till gentle Mercy show
Her better eye, the farther off we go,
The read more

'Tis vain to flee; till gentle Mercy show
Her better eye, the farther off we go,
The swing of Justice deals the mightier blow.

Mercy among the virtues is like the moon among the stars ... It is the light that hovers above the read more

Mercy among the virtues is like the moon among the stars ... It is the light that hovers above the judgment seat.

When all thy mercies, O my God,
My rising soul surveys,
Transported with the view I'm lost,
read more

When all thy mercies, O my God,
My rising soul surveys,
Transported with the view I'm lost,
In wonder, love and praise.

Whereto serves mercy
But to confront the visage of offense?

Whereto serves mercy
But to confront the visage of offense?

Being all fashioned of the self-same dust,
Let us be merciful as well as just.

Being all fashioned of the self-same dust,
Let us be merciful as well as just.

The quality of mercy is not strain'd; It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath. It read more

The quality of mercy is not strain'd; 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.

Of all the characters of cruelty, I consider the most despicable the one that cloaks himself in a garb of read more

Of all the characters of cruelty, I consider the most despicable the one that cloaks himself in a garb of mercy.