Favorite Inspirational Quotes

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 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.

William Shakespeare (The Merchant of Venice)

Quite simply this part of his play is about mercy. Shakespeare likens it to a gentle rain. Rain is one of the elements which brings life to our planet.

Mercy is like a gentle rain in our lives blessing both the giver and the receiver. How it blesses the receiver is apparent in the tempered justice he receives. How it blesses the giver is by helping to keep negative emotions (or those we judge to be negative) of anger and vengeance at bay. Holding mercy in her heart, the giver holds the more positive vibrations. It plain just keeps from ruining your day and allows you to let go of whatever required mercy in the first place.

Shakespeare even states that mercy is an attribute of God. When those that have power show mercy to those they have the power over, then that is when they are most Godlike.

We have it within ourselves to show mercy to others for whatever conceivable wrong they have done us. Perhaps whenever we feel vengeful, it is best to keep mercy in mind instead.