[dsc]

"mercy is better than justice"

Ever read Shakespeare on that? Merchant of Venice, Act 4 Scene 1, Portia to Shylock?

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. Therefore, Jew,
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. I have spoke thus much
To mitigate the justice of thy plea;
Which if thou follow, this strict court of Venice
Must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant there.

[hiredhand]

It's been YEARS since I've read that! :-) Shakespeare summed it up well.

I've been in discussion with others around me lately about mercy/justice. Justice is "it's own end". Those in positions of power are placed there by God, and justice is "complete" when metted out. The law is the law and has very finite boundaries. Even complex laws are comprehendible.

But mercy is almost hard for most of us to truly understand. Mercy given causes a continuation of itself. NOT at all like justice! Even if the receiver should go so far as to kill the giver of mercy, the witnesses who are present are still powerfully affected by the extension of mercy.

Yes..."It blesseth him that gives and him that takes: "