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.

It is noble to grant life to the vanquished.
[Lat., Pulchrum est vitam donare minori.]

It is noble to grant life to the vanquished.
[Lat., Pulchrum est vitam donare minori.]

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.

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.

Mercy but murders, pardoning those that kill.

Mercy but murders, pardoning those that kill.

'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 often inflicts death.
[Lat., Mortem misericors saepe pro vita dabit.]

Mercy often inflicts death.
[Lat., Mortem misericors saepe pro vita dabit.]

Sweet Mercy! to the gates of Heaven
This minstrel lead, his sins forgiven;
The rueful conflict, the read more

Sweet Mercy! to the gates of Heaven
This minstrel lead, his sins forgiven;
The rueful conflict, the heart riven
With vain endeavour,
And memory of earth's bitter leaven
Effaced forever.

There are three things in the world that deserve no mercy, hypocrisy, fraud, and tyranny.

There are three things in the world that deserve no mercy, hypocrisy, fraud, and tyranny.