Clemency is the support of justice.
—Russian Proverb
We may imitate the Deity in all his moral attributes, but mercy is the only one in which we can pretend to equal him.—We cannot, indeed, give like God, but surely we may forgive like him.
—Laurence Sterne (1713–68) Irish Anglican Novelist, Clergyman
The just is close to the people’s heart, but the merciful is close to the heart of God.
—Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-born American Philosopher, Poet, Painter, Theologian, Sculptor
Mercifulness makes us equal to the gods.
—Claudian (c.370–c.404 CE) Roman Poet
To deserve mercy, practise mercy.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
He who has compassion on his fellow man is accounted of the true seed of Abraham.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Blessed are those who show mercy.
They will be treated mercifully.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
A gentleman has his eyes on all those present; he is tender toward the bashful, gentle toward the distant, and merciful toward the absent.
—Lawrence G. Lovasik
Take the gentle path.
—George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh Anglican Poet, Orator, Clergyman
Offenders never pardon.
—Common Proverb
Where Mercy, Love, and Pity dwell
There God is dwelling too.
—William Blake (1757–1827) English Poet, Painter, Printmaker
How would you be, if he, who is the top of judgment, should but judge you as you are?—O, think on that, and mercy then will breathe within your lips, like man new made.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Mercy to him that shows it, is the rule.
—William Cowper (1731–1800) English Anglican Poet, Hymn writer
To sin because mercy abounds is the devil’s logic; he that sins because of God’s mercy, shall have judgment without mercy.—Mercy is not for them that sin and fear not, but for them that fear and sin not.
—Thomas J. Watson, Sr. (1874–1956) American Business Executive
Computers are like Old Testament gods; lots of rules and no mercy.
—Joseph Campbell (1904–87) American Mythologist, Writer, Lecturer
Among the attributes of God, although they are all equal, mercy shines with even more brilliancy than justice.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
Mercy among the virtues is like the moon among the stars,—not so sparkling and vivid as many, but dispensing a calm radiance that hallows the whole. It is the bow that rests upon the bosom of the cloud when the storm is past. It is the light that hovers above the judgment seat.
—Edwin Hubbell Chapin (1814–80) American Preacher, Poet
Children are innocent and love justice, while most adults are wicked and prefer mercy.
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
The quality of mercy is not strained;
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed—
It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
A merciful person helps himself, but a cruel person hurts himself.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Mercy more becomes a magistrate than the vindictive wrath which men call justice.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic
In case of doubt we should always lean on the side of mercy.
—Unknown
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:
‘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 sceptred 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…
Though justice be thy plea, consider this,
That, in the course of justice, none of us
Should see salvation: we do pray for mercy;
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render
The deeds of mercy…
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Do not let mercy and truth leave you. Fasten them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will find favor and much success in the sight of God and humanity.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
The greatest attribute of heaven is mercy;
And ’tis the crown of justice, and the glory …
—John Fletcher
We hand folks over to God’s mercy, and show none ourselves.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
Lenity will operate with greater force, in some instances, than rigor.—It is, therefore, my first wish, to have my whole conduct distinguished by it.
—George Washington (1732–99) American Head of State, Military Leader
By compassion we make others’ misery our own, and so, by relieving them, we relieve ourselves also.
—Thomas Browne (1605–82) English Author, Physician
Mercy turns her back to the unmerciful.
—Francis Quarles (1592–1644) English Religious Poet