View source for Mercy

{{Short description|Benevolence, forgiveness, and kindness}}
{{About}}
{{redirect|Merciful|people called "the Merciful"|List of people known as the Merciful}}

[[File:1605 Francken sieben Werke der Barmherzigkeit anagoria.JPG |thumb|''The Seven [[Works of Mercy]]'', by [[Frans II Francken]], 1605.]]

'''Mercy''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|m|əːr|.|s|i}}, {{respell|MUR|see}}; from [[Middle English]], from [[Anglo-Norman language|Anglo-French]] {{lang|fr|merci}}, from [[Medieval Latin]] {{lang|la|merced-}}, {{lang|la|merces}} "price paid, wages", from [[Latin]] {{lang|la|merc-}}, {{lang|la|merxi}} "merchandise") is [[wikt:benevolence|benevolence]], [[forgiveness]], and [[kindness]] in a variety of ethical, religious, social, and [[Law|legal]] contexts.

In the social and legal context, mercy may refer both to compassionate behavior on the part of those in power (e.g. mercy shown by a judge toward a convict), or on the part of a humanitarian third party (e.g., a mission of mercy aiming to treat war victims).<ref>{{multiref2
|1={{cite book|last1=Sarat|first1=Austin|last2=Hussain|first2=Nasser|title=Forgiveness, mercy, and clemency|year=2006|isbn=0-8047-5333-4|pages=1–5|publisher=Stanford University Press }}
|2={{cite book|last=Menke|first=Christopher|title=Reflections of equality|year=2006|isbn=0-8047-4474-2|page=193|publisher=Stanford University Press }} }}</ref>

==Definition==
"Mercy" can be defined as "compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power"; and  also "a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mercy|title=mercy|website=Merriam-Webster}}</ref> "To be at someone's mercy" indicates a person being "without defense against someone."<ref>{{cite book|url=https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/at+the+mercy+of|chapter=at the mercy of|title=McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs|publisher=The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.|year=2002}}</ref>

==Law and ethics==
[[File:Spirit of Compassion.jpg|thumb|150px|The ''Spirit of Compassion'', commemorating [[World War I]], [[National War Memorial (South Australia)|South Australia]], 1931]]
In a judicial context mercy is often termed "clemency". It is a sovereign prerogative that resides in the executive and is entirely discretionary. [[John Locke]] defined it as "the power to act according to discretion, for the public good, without the prescription of the Law, and sometimes even against it."<ref>{{cite book|last=Locke|first=John|title=Second Treatise on Civil Government|editor-first=C.B|editor-last=MacPherson|location=Indianapolis, Ind.|publisher=Hackett|year=1980|at=§§159–160}}</ref> The U.S. [[Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit]] explained that "The very nature of clemency is that it is grounded solely in the will of the dispenser of clemency. He need give no reasons for granting it or for denying it."<ref>{{cite court|litigants=In re Sapp|reporter=F.3d|vol=118|opinion=460|pinpoint=465|court=6th Cir.|date=1997}}</ref>

==Religions==
The concept of a merciful [[God]] appears in various religions, including [[Hinduism]], [[Christianity]], [[Judaism]], and [[Islam]]. Performing acts of mercy as a component of religious beliefs is also emphasized through actions such as the giving of alms, care for the sick, and [[Works of Mercy]].

===Christianity===
{{Bibleverse|Hebrews|4:16|nab}} says, "So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help." Grace and mercy are similar in that both are free gifts of God and both are dispensed absent any merit on the part of the recipient. Grace is the favor of God, a divine assistance. Grace is what one receives that one does not deserve while mercy is what one receives when one does ''not'' get what one deserves.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.patheos.com/blogs/christiancrier/2014/03/17/what-is-the-difference-between-mercy-and-grace/|last=Wellman|first=Jack|title=What Is The Difference Between Mercy and Grace?|website=Christian Crier|date=March 17, 2014}}</ref>

An emphasis on mercy appears in the [[New Testament]], for example in the [[Magnificat]]<ref>{{bibleverse|Luke|1:46-55}}</ref> and [[Benedictus (Song of Zechariah)|Benedictus]] (Song of [[Zechariah (priest)|Zechariah]]),<ref>{{bibleverse|Luke|1:68-79}}</ref> in [[Luke's Gospel]], and in the [[Beatitudes]] in {{Bibleverse|Matthew|5:7}}: "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy."<ref name=Mauriello149 /> In {{Bibleverse|Ephesians|2:4–5}} [[Apostle Paul]] refers to the mercy of God in terms of salvation: "God, who is rich in mercy... even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ."

[[Psalm 117]] calls upon all nations to praise the Lord on account of his "merciful kindness". This is quoted by the Apostle Paul in {{Bibleverse|Romans|15:11}} to show that God has now fulfilled this prophecy and promise through Jesus Christ, who has been merciful in giving his life as a sacrifice for his people, both Jew and gentile. {{Bibleverse|1 Peter|2:9-10}} reads:
{{blockquote|But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.}}

This devotional element of mercy as part of the Christian tradition was echoed by [[Saint Augustine]] who called mercy "ever ancient, ever new".<ref name=Mauriello149 >{{cite book|title=Mercies Remembered|first=Matthew R.|last=Mauriello|year=2011|isbn=978-1-61215-005-5|pages=149–160|publisher=Xulon Press }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=[[Augustine of Hippo]]|title=[[Confessions (St. Augustine)|Confessions]]|at=X.27}}</ref> The [[Works of Mercy]] (seven corporal and seven spiritual works) are part of the Catholic and [[Eastern Orthodox]] traditions.<ref name=Apostoli105 />

====Roman Catholicism====
{{see also|Divine Mercy}}

[[File:Kazimirowski Eugeniusz, Divine Mercy, 1934.jpg|thumb|180px|The first ''[[Divine Mercy image]]'' ({{Circa|1934}}) painted according to the apparitions of [[Faustina Kowalska]] by [[Eugene Kazimierowski]]. Now permanently enshrined at the [[Divine Mercy Sanctuary (Vilnius)|Divine Mercy Sanctuary of Vilnius]], [[Lithuania]]<ref name=Withyou548>{{cite book|title=Am With You Always|author-link=Benedict Groeschel|first=Benedict|last=Groeschel|year=2010|isbn=978-1-58617-257-2|page=548|publisher=Ignatius Press }}</ref>]]

In the encyclical ''[[Dives in misericordia]]'' ("Rich in Mercy") [[Pope John Paul II]] examined the role of mercy—both God's mercy, and also the need for human mercy.<ref name=Dives>{{cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_30111980_dives-in-misericordia.html|author=Pope John Paul II|title=Dives in misericordia|date=November 30, 1980|publisher=Libreria Editrice Vaticana}}</ref> He saw in the [[Parable of the Prodigal Son]] ({{Bibleverse|Luke|15:11–32}}) "the essence of the divine mercy".<ref name=Dives/> Having squandered his patrimony, justice would dictate that the prodigal should only expect to be received back as a hireling. The figure of the father is analogous to God as Father, who goes beyond the requirements of justice to welcome his son with compassion.

The [[Catechism of the Catholic Church]] emphasizes the importance of the [[Works of Mercy]]. In [[Roman Catholic]] teachings the mercy of God flows through the work of the Holy Spirit.<ref name=Apostoli105>{{cite book|title=We Believe in the Holy Spirit|first=Andrew|last=Apostoli|year=2002|isbn=1-931709-31-9|pages=105–107|publisher=Our Sunday Visitor, Publishing Division }}</ref><ref name=Catechism2447 >{{cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P8F.HTM|website=The Holy See|title=Catechism of the Catholic Church|at=2447}}</ref> Roman [[Catholic liturgy]] includes frequent references to mercy, e.g., as in {{transliteration|grc|[[Kyrie|Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison]]}}: Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy.<ref>{{cite book|last=Fortescue|first=Adrian|chapter-url=https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08714a.htm|title=Catholic encyclopedia|volume=8|location=New York|publisher=Robert Appleton Co.|year=1910|chapter=Kyrie Eleison}}</ref>

Mercy has also been an important subject of Christian [[iconography]]. Since the [[Middle Ages]], many representations in art encouraged people to practice the [[works of mercy]] and, as the art historian [[Ralf van Bühren]] explains using the example of [[Caravaggio]], helped "the audience to explore mercy in their own lives".<ref>{{cite journal|author-link=Ralf van Bühren|first=Ralf|last=van Bühren|title=Caravaggio's 'Seven Works of Mercy' in Naples. The relevance of art history to cultural journalism|journal=Church, Communication and Culture|volume=2|year=2017|pages=63–87|doi=10.1080/23753234.2017.1287283 |doi-access=free}}</ref>{{rp|79–80}}

In the 20th century, there was new focus on mercy in the Roman Catholic Church, partly due to the [[Divine Mercy]] devotion.<ref name=Withyou548 /><ref name=Ball175 >{{cite book|first=Ann|last=Ball|year=2003|title=Encyclopedia of Catholic Devotions and Practices|isbn=0-87973-910-X|page=175|publisher=Our Sunday Visitor }}</ref><ref name=Butler >{{cite book|title=Butler's lives of the saints: the third millennium|first1=Paul|last1=Burns|first2=Alban|last2=Butler|year=2001|isbn=978-0-86012-383-5|page=252|publisher=Bloomsbury Academic }}</ref> The primary focus of the Divine Mercy devotion is the merciful love of God and the desire to let that love and mercy flow through one's own heart towards those in need of it.<ref name=Ball175 />

Pope John Paul II was a follower of the Divine Mercy devotion, due to Saint [[Mary Faustina Kowalska]] (1905–1938), who is known as the ''[[Faustina Kowalska|Apostle of Mercy]]''.<ref name=Butler /><ref name=Drake85 >{{cite book|title=Saints of the Jubilee|first=Tim|last=Drake|year=2002|isbn=978-1-4033-1009-5|pages=85–95|publisher=AuthorHouse }}</ref>

A number of Roman Catholic [[shrines]] are specifically dedicated to Divine Mercy, e.g. the [[Divine Mercy Sanctuary (Krakow)|Basilica of Divine Mercy]] in Krakow Poland, and the [[National Shrine of The Divine Mercy (Stockbridge, Massachusetts)]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/speeches/1997/june/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_19970607_divina-misericordia.html|title=Address of John Paul II|location=Shrine of Divine Mercy, Krakow|date=7 June 1997|website=Holy See}}</ref> During the dedication of the Basilica of Divine Mercy, John Paul II quoted [[Diary: Divine Mercy in My Soul|the Diary of Faustina]] and called mercy the "greatest attribute of God Almighty".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/homilies/2002/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_20020817_shrine-divine-mercy.html|website=Holy See|title=Dedication of the Shrine of Divine Mercy|location=Kraków-Łagiewniki|date=17 August 2002|author=John Paul II}}</ref>

The first ''World Apostolic Congress on Mercy'' was held in Rome in April 2008 and was inaugurated by [[Pope Benedict XVI]].<ref name=Mauriello149 /><ref>{{multiref2
|1={{Cite web |url=http://www.zenit.org/article-22184?l=english |title=Benedict XVI Inaugurates 1st Mercy Conference |date=April 2, 2008 |website=Zenit|access-date=May 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080407083540/http://www.zenit.org/article-22184?l=english |archive-date=April 7, 2008 |url-status=dead }}
|2={{Cite web |title=Cardinal calls mercy a grace that points out sin, provides healing|last=Wooden|first=Cindy|url=http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0801799.htm |website=Catholic News Service |date=April 3, 2008 |access-date=May 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330191223/http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0801799.htm |archive-date=March 30, 2012 |url-status=dead}} }}</ref>

In 2015, at [[St. Peter's Basilica]], in a [[Papal Bull]] of [[proclamation|Indiction]] entitled ''Misericordiae Vultus'' ("The Face of Mercy"), [[Pope Francis]] proclaimed a Special and Extraordinary Holy Year [[Jubilee (Christianity)|Jubilee Year]] of Mercy, from December 8, 2015: [[Solemnity]] of the [[Immaculate Conception]] of the [[Blessed Virgin Mary]], until November 21, 2016: the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus [[Christ the King]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Pope Francis|url=https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/bulls/documents/papa-francesco_bolla_20150411_misericordiae-vultus.html|title=Misericordiae Vultus|date=April 11, 2015|website=Holy See}}</ref> The theme of the Extraordinary Jubilee was taken from {{bibleverse|Luke|6:36}}, "Merciful, Like the Father".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/31669/pope-francis-declares-holy-year-for-mercy|last=Harris|first=Elise|title=Pope Francis declares Holy Year for Mercy|website=Catholic News Agency|date=March 13, 2015}}</ref>

===Islam===
In [[Islam]] the title "Most Merciful" (''Al-Raheem'') is one of the [[names of Allah]] and "Most Compassionate" (''[[Al-Rahman]]''), is the most common name occurring in the [[Quran]]. ''Rahman'' and ''Rahim'' both derive from the root ''Rahmat'', which refers to tenderness and benevolence.<ref name=Rafiabadi >''World religions and Islam: a critical study, Part 1'' by Hamid Naseem Rafiabadi, 2003 Sarup and Sons Publishers {{ISBN|81-7625-414-2}} page 211</ref> As a form of mercy, the giving of alms (''[[zakat]]'') is the fourth of the [[Five Pillars of Islam]] and one of the requirements for the faithful.<ref name=Hooker>Hooker, Richard (July 14, 1999). "arkan ad-din the five pillars of religion". Washington State University. {{cite web|url=http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/GLOSSARY/5PILLARS.HTM |title=The Five Pillars |access-date=2010-11-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203124633/http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/GLOSSARY/5PILLARS.HTM |archive-date=2010-12-03 }}</ref>

===Judaism===
The concept of mercy encompasses two terms in Hebrew. {{Transliteration|he|[[Chesed]]}}, which is also translated as 'loving-kindness' and 'goodness', is the seventh of the [[Thirteen Attributes of Mercy|thirteen defining attributes of God]].

The other, {{transliteration|he|rachamim}}, is also translated as 'compassion' (or because its noun form is grammatically plural, as 'mercies'). {{Transliteration|he|Rachamim}} is the fourth of the thirteen attributes. {{Bibleverse|Exodus|34:6}} says: "The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness."<ref>{{cite book|title=After the exile|first1=John|last1=Barton|first2=David James|last2=Reimer|year=1997|isbn=978-0-86554-524-3|page=90|publisher=Mercer University Press }}</ref> This is also emphasized in the context of the Babylonian exile in Isaiah: "For the Lord has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his suffering ones. But Zion said, 'The Lord has forsaken me, my Lord has forgotten me.' Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you." ({{Bibleverse|Isaiah|49:13–15}}) Also: "It is good to pray and fast, to be merciful and just." ({{Bibleverse|Tobit|12:8}}) When [[David]], because of his sin, was told to choose between a three-year famine, pursuit by his enemies for three months, or a three-day pestilence, he chose the pestilence, saying, "Let us fall by the hand of God, for he is most merciful; but let me not fall by the hand of man." ({{Bibleverse|2 Samuel|24:14|nab}}) [[Psalm 103#v8|Psalm 103:8]] praises God for his mercy.

===Other religions and beliefs===
[[Kwan Yin]] the bodhisattva of mercy and compassion, is one of the best known and most venerated [[Bodhisattva]] in Asia.<ref>{{cite book|title=Guan Yin: goddess of compassion|author=Kok Kiang Koh|year=2004|isbn=981-229-379-5|pages=6–8|publisher=Asiapac Books }}</ref>

{{transliteration|sa|[[Karuṇā]]}} (often translated as "compassion") is part of the beliefs of [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]], and [[Jainism]]. {{transliteration|sa|Karuṇā}} is present in all schools of Buddhism and in Jainism it is viewed as one of the reflections of universal friendship.

The spiritual teacher [[Meher Baba]] described God as being "all-merciful and eternally benevolent" in his [[Parvardigar Prayer|O Parvardigar]] prayer, and he held that we can approach God through the "invocation of His mercy."<ref>{{cite book|last=Kalchuri|first=Bhau|year=1986|title=Meher Prabhu: Lord Meher|volume=18|location=Myrtle Beach|publisher=Manifestation, Inc.|page=5986}}</ref>

==Quotes==
* "I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice." ―[[Abraham Lincoln]]<ref name=goodreads>[http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/mercy "Quotes About Mercy", Goodreads]</ref>{{better source needed|date=August 2023}}
* "For children are innocent and love justice, while most of us are wicked and naturally prefer mercy." ―[[G.K. Chesterton]]<ref name=goodreads/>{{better source needed|date=August 2023}}
* "You cannot conceive, nor can I, of the appalling strangeness of the mercy of God." ―[[Graham Greene]], ''[[Brighton Rock (novel)|Brighton Rock]]''<ref name=goodreads/>{{better source needed|date=August 2023}}
* "'What a pity that Bilbo did not stab that vile creature, when he had a chance!' Pity? It was Pity that stayed his hand. Pity, and Mercy: not to strike without need. And he has been well rewarded, Frodo. Be sure that he took so little hurt from the evil, and escaped in the end, because he began his ownership of the Ring so. With Pity." ―[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]''<ref name=goodreads/>{{better source needed|date=August 2023}}

==Literature==
* In [[Shakespeare]]'s ''[[The Quality of Mercy (Shakespeare quote)|The Merchant of Venice]]'', [[Portia (The Merchant of Venice)|Portia]], disguised as young lawyer Balthazar, begs Shylock to show mercy to her client Antonio:<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gk1wthOVvIwC&pg=PA150|title=The Merchant of Venice|year=2010|publisher=[[Modern Library]]|last=Shakespeare|first=William|editor-last1=Bate|editor-first1=Jonathan|editor-first2=Eric|editor-last2=Rasmussen|pages=150–151|isbn=978-1-58836-874-4}}</ref> 
{{blockquote|
The quality of mercy is not strain'd.<br />
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven<br />
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:<br />
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.}}

* In [[O. Henry]]'s ''[[A Retrieved Reformation]]'', safecracker Jimmy Valentine betrays his identity and burglary skills in order to free a child accidentally trapped in a bank vault. A detective who has been pursuing him witnesses Valentine crack the safe. As Valentine subsequently surrenders, the detective pretends not to recognize him and walks away.<ref>{{cite book |author=O. Henry|chapter-url=https://archive.org/stream/selectedstoriesf00henr#page/40/mode/2up |chapter=A Retrieved Reformation |title=Selected stories from O. Henry |pages=41–49 |year=1922 |editor-first=C. Alphonso |editor-last=Smith |publisher=Odyssey Press |location=New York}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Commons category}}
{{wikiquote}}
* {{annotated link|Christian universalism}}
* {{annotated link|[[Clementia]]}}
* {{annotated link|[[Mercy Corps]]}}
* {{annotated link|[[Thirteen Attributes of Mercy]]}}
* {{annotated link|[[Virgin of Mercy]]}}
* {{annotated link|[[Works of Mercy]]}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Virtues}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Attributes of God in Christian theology]]
[[Category:Concepts in ethics]]
[[Category:Theories of law]]
[[Category:Punishments]]
[[Category:Virtue]]