The Quality of Mercy

This week, I was voted the 'Best Speaker' at my local Toastmasters meeting. I attempted an organized speech, with an introduction, a body (with 3 main points), and a conclusion, from chapter 2 of the Competent Communication manual.
 

 

I believe my audience was listening as some were taking notes. From the little chits that were passed over to me, when I had concluded, I felt very much appreciated and encouraged. Thank you, fellow Toastmasters, for your guidance, mentorship, for listening, and for your affirmation! Without further ado, here is my speech:
 

 

The Quality of Mercy
 

You all have heard of Shakespeare, the Bard of Avon, who lived 500 years ago and who has enriched our lives with his plays and poems. He wrote a play called ‘The Merchant of Venice’ in 1598. This play contains one of the most well-known of Shakespeare’s persuasive speeches – ‘The Quality of Mercy’, made by the leading lady Portia.
 

This speech is addressed by Portia to the court in general, and to Shylock, the villainous usurer, in particular. It is an appeal to the moral conscience of Shylock, to spare Antonio’s life. Antonio has stood guarantee for a defaulted loan and now risks losing, literally, a pound of flesh as punishment for the same. As we know, losing a pound of flesh would lead to certain death by bleeding. Hence, Portia’s appeal to Shylock’s compassion.
 

What is this ‘The Quality of Mercy’? I quote a few lines to capture its essential meaning:

“The quality of mercy…

…droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven

…it is twice blest;

It blesseth him that gives and him that takes:…

It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,

It is an attribute to God himself;

…When mercy seasons justice.”
 

Throughout his plays, Shakespeare presented the qualities of mercy, compassion, and forgiveness as the highest possible values that could be upheld by the powerful and the rich…be it the power of a Governor over his subjects, the power of a professor over his students, the power of a parent over his or her child, or even the power of a husband or wife over his/ her spouse. The most obvious reason why is because the wealthy and the strong could crush those beneath them with a few words and deeds. Therefore, it is imperative that they practice compassion and forgiveness, that they season their justice with mercy.
 

For instance, a parent who repeatedly harshly disciplines his child in public will produce an adult who is afraid to stand up for himself. A parent who over-reacts harshly to his child’s inappropriate behavior will produce an adult who lies often and does not confide in the parent. A parent who keeps lecturing and crushing his child’s spirit will produce an adult who has poor self-esteem. Forgiveness makes us human. As long as there are relationships, there will be a need for forgiveness.
 

But here’s a thought – those who are materially prosperous and those in positions of control are not the only ones who are wealthy and powerful. Shakespeare points out that those who absorb and develop these qualities of mercy, compassion and forgiveness gain power through the exercise of these qualities. Such people are rich in moral wealth. They are evolved human beings whose wealth cannot be measured in terms of dollar value. They may be materially poor or they may not occupy any high social position, but they are wealthy in terms of their moral compass and dignity. They are values-driven leaders who understand that any rule is to be applied in spirit and not in the letter.
 

To explain, a kind and forgiving person may be laughed at for having been taken in time and again. However, one can see it this way – a kind and forgiving person is not a fool. He is just lucky to be blessed with a beautiful heart that not many have. Zen, yoga, motivational teachers, and psychologists have for years encouraged us to shed the baggage of anger and hurt. If one were to carry a glass of water for 1 minute, it would be easy. Try carrying that same 8 oz. glass of water for 1 hour and watch how your arm would hurt! By carrying around our zealousness, self-righteousness, and grudges for years, we are hurting only ourselves. Sometimes, these negative feelings have resulted in diseases of the mind and body – such as schizophrenia or cancer. Forgiveness is a great release. Forgiveness sets you free.
 

Lastly, I wish to point out another angle to this cycle of forgiveness – namely, the roles of the giver and the receiver. In other words, the person who shows mercy and forgiveness and also the person who receives it. It could very well be that although a person is ready to forgive, the receiver may not be prepared to accept this mercy. For instance, in a divorce, an abusive spouse may not be willing to be forgiven, seeing this act of forgiveness as an accusation instead. A perpetrator of violence may scoff at the forgiveness offered by his victim, seeing it as an insult or as an affront that challenges his rightful aggression.
 

“The Quality of Mercy” speech describes how one prays for divine mercy and also how one dispenses it. The act of mercy, therefore, demands that both the giver and the receiver evolve and be humble enough to give and to receive the same. What does one do when the receiver does not acknowledge one’s forgiveness – perhaps to cover up his or her wrongdoing through denial? Does it mean that the act of forgiveness cannot be complete? In that case, one must forgive oneself for holding on to the hurt for so long, and for having been vulnerable. Then, one must move on. They don’t call it ‘water under the bridge’ for nothing. Forgive (don’t forget), and make a fresh start. For yourself.
 

In conclusion, one might say that the qualities of mercy and forgiveness are indicative of an enlightened and cultured society. Note, I did not say a ‘materially rich’ or ‘technologically advanced’ society. I also didn’t refer to an instant and forced forgiveness. I meant – a society that thinks before it acts and that values integrity.
 

To forgive is to be human. The act of forgiveness and compassion is a great equalizer. It reminds us of our shared humanity – that we all are not perfect, that we all are capable of slipping up – both the giver and the receiver...for one day, the roles might be interchanged.
 

History is not destiny. We always have the choice to embrace a positive and constructive future. Choose the quality of mercy.