mercy, The Mechanics of Virtue, aphorism 297

297


Mercy is not really honorable but remains in one’s strategy to prevent a loss to honor.  One evaluates the battle already in progress and stops short at the last moment in order to prevent one’s ignominious destruction of someone too vulnerable to be considered a worthy foe.  One's commitment to honor is fully tested when a third party sees the act of mercy as a victory for the beneficiary.  Now, one’s “failure” is a consequence of an excess of self-esteem.

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