We shall show mercy, but we shall not ask for it.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
Being all fashioned of the self-same dust,
Let us be merciful as well as just.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic
Mercy more becomes a magistrate than the vindictive wrath which men call justice.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic
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
To deserve mercy, practise mercy.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Nothing emboldens sin so much as mercy.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
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
He who judges without mercy will himself be judged.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Take the gentle path.
—George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh Anglican Poet, Orator, Clergyman
Where Mercy, Love, and Pity dwell
There God is dwelling too.
—William Blake (1757–1827) English Poet, Painter, Printmaker
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.
—Agatha Christie (1890–1976) British Novelist, Short-Story Writer, Playwright
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
He who has compassion on his fellow man is accounted of the true seed of Abraham.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Mercy is like the rainbow, which God hath set in the clouds; it never shines after it is night.—If we refuse mercy here, we shall have justice in eternity.
—Jeremy Taylor
The mercy we to others show, Heaven will show to us.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
A God all mercy, were a God unjust.
—Edward Young (1683–1765) English Poet
When strong, be merciful, if you would have the respect, not the fear of your neighbors.
—Chilon of Sparta (c.556 BCE) Spartan Magistrate
A merciful person is merciful to their animals.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Compassion is the desire that moves the individual self to widen the scope of its self-concern to embrace the whole of the universal self.
—Arnold J. Toynbee (1889–1975) British Historian
Children are innocent and love justice, while most adults are wicked and prefer mercy.
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
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
I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
Computers are like Old Testament gods; lots of rules and no mercy.
—Joseph Campbell (1904–87) American Author, Mythologist
Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
A sensible thanksgiving for mercies received is a mighty prayer in the Spirit of God. It prevails with Him unspeakably.
—John Bunyan (1628–88) English Puritan Writer, Preacher
Mercy turns her back to the unmerciful.
—Francis Quarles (1592–1644) English Religious Poet
We hand folks over to God’s mercy, and show none ourselves.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
O God, how beautiful the thought, how merciful the blest decree, that grace can always be found when sought, and nought shut out the soul from thee.
—Eliza Cook (1818–89) English Author, Poet
And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
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