As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends, / I must not look to have; but, in their stead, / Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honour, breath, / Which the poor heart would fain deny, and dare not" (5.3.25-28).
William ShakespeareRead
Mercy but murders, pardoning those that kill.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The act of mercy can lead to greater harm by allowing wrongdoers to escape justice.
In this quote, Shakespeare suggests that showing mercy to those who commit serious wrongs, such as murderers, can, paradoxically, lead to further violence and suffering. The quote challenges the reader to consider the moral implications of forgiveness and mercy, particularly in contexts where justice and retribution may be necessary to uphold societal order and protect the innocent.
Themes
MercyJusticeForgivenessViolenceMorality
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate about the justice system, one could quote Shakespeare to emphasize the importance of accountability.
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Lord, Lord, how this world is given to lying!
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Give it an understanding, but no tongue.
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