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.

Whereto serves mercy
But to confront the visage of offense?

Whereto serves mercy
But to confront the visage of offense?

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.

The corn that makes the holy bread
By which the soul of man is fed,
The holy read more

The corn that makes the holy bread
By which the soul of man is fed,
The holy bread, the food unpriced,
Thy everlasting mercy, Christ.

Too much mercy... often resulted in further crimes which were fatal to innocent victims who need not have been victims read more

Too much mercy... often resulted in further crimes which were fatal to innocent victims who need not have been victims if justice had been put first and mercy second.

I would lose my way again, be led hopelessly astray again, just so I can pray again...For the mercy in read more

I would lose my way again, be led hopelessly astray again, just so I can pray again...For the mercy in you.

Mercy is not itself, that oft looks so;
Pardon is still the nurse of second woe.

Mercy is not itself, that oft looks so;
Pardon is still the nurse of second woe.

Open thy gate of mercy, gracious God,
My soul flies through these wounds to seek out thee.

Open thy gate of mercy, gracious God,
My soul flies through these wounds to seek out thee.

To hide the fault I see:
That mercy I to others show,
That mercy show to me.

To hide the fault I see:
That mercy I to others show,
That mercy show to me.