The difference between justice and mercy is dramatically shown in an incident, probably apocryphal, attributed to Napoleon.
A young soldier has been found guilty of sleeping while on sentry duty and had been sentenced to death. His distraught mother finally got an interview with Napoleon to plead for her son. He was her only child. He was young. He had an otherwise blameless record. “Yet he endangered the entire army by his action,” said Napoleon. “Justice demands that he should die.”
“True, sire,” responded the woman. “But I plead not for justice, but for mercy.”
“Very well then,” answered Napoleon. “I will have mercy.”
-A. Stauderman
Practice being merciful with those around you.
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