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.

Much that we call evil is really good in disguises; and we should not quarrel rashly with adversities not yet read more

Much that we call evil is really good in disguises; and we should not quarrel rashly with adversities not yet understood, nor overlook the mercies often bound up in them.

Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy.

We shall show mercy, but we shall not ask for it

We shall show mercy, but we shall not ask for it

Mercy but murders, pardoning those that kill.

Mercy but murders, pardoning those that kill.

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

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

And shut the gates of mercy on mankind.

And shut the gates of mercy on mankind.

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 stood in the cloud, with eye that wept
Essential love.

Mercy stood in the cloud, with eye that wept
Essential love.