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." 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. Karuṇā (often translated as "compassion") is part of the beliefs of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. 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 O Parvardigar prayer, and he held that we can approach God through the "invocation of His mercy." Quotes "I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice." ―Abraham Lincoln "For children are innocent and love justice, while most of us are wicked and naturally prefer mercy." ―G.K. Chesterton "You cannot conceive, nor can I, of the appalling strangeness of the mercy of God." ―Graham Greene, Brighton Rock "'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 Literature In Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, Portia, disguised as young lawyer Balthazar, begs Shylock to show mercy to her client Antonio: 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. See also Mercy Corps Thirteen Attributes of Mercy Virgin of Mercy Works of Mercy Clementia References Attributes of God in Christian theology Ethical principles Theories of law Punishments Divine Mercy Virtue