The quality of mercy is not strain’d,

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven

Upon the place beneath: It is twice bless’d;

It blesseth him that gives and him that takes:

…

And earthly power doth then show likest God’s

When mercy seasons justice.

In the course of justice none of us

Should see salvation; we do pray for mercy,

And that same prayer doth teach us all to render

The deeds of mercy.

from The Merchant of Venice