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.

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.

And shut the gates of mercy on mankind.

And shut the gates of mercy on mankind.

Think not the good,
The gentle deeds of mercy thou hast done,
Shall die forgotten all; the read more

Think not the good,
The gentle deeds of mercy thou hast done,
Shall die forgotten all; the poor, the prisoner,
The fatherless, the friendless, and the widow,
Who daily owe the bounty of thy hand,
Shall cry to Heaven, and pull a blessing on thee.

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.

Teach me to feel another's woe, To hide the fault I see: That mercy I to others show, read more

Teach me to feel another's woe, To hide the fault I see: That mercy I to others show, That mercy show to me.

Spare me through your mercy, do not punish me through your justice.

Spare me through your mercy, do not punish me through your justice.

Who will not mercie unto others show,
How can he mercie ever hope to have?

Who will not mercie unto others show,
How can he mercie ever hope to have?