William Shakespeare

Sweet mercy is nobility's true badge.

Sweet mercy is nobility's true badge.

Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall. -Measure for Measure. Act ii. Sc. 1.

Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall. -Measure for Measure. Act ii. Sc. 1.

Rob me the exchequer. -King Henry IV. Part I. Act iii. Sc. 3.

Rob me the exchequer. -King Henry IV. Part I. Act iii. Sc. 3.

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.