Accomplish Quote by Seneca the Younger
“The wise man will not pardon any crime that ought to be punished, but he will accomplish, in a nobler way, all that is sought in pardoning. He will spare some and watch over some, because of their youth, and others on account of their ignorance. His clemency will not fall short of justice, but will fulfill it perfectly.”
About This Quote
Source Philosophy: Moral Letters to Lucilius, c. 65 AD
Justice should be tempered with mercy, but mercy must not undermine fairness; true clemency balances punishment and compassion.
In simple terms: Justice and mercy must be balanced.
Key Takeaway
Apply mercy wisely without compromising justice.
Themes
justice
mercy
ethics
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- Legal judgments
- parental discipline
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
Moral philosophy
balance of law and compassion
Questions to Reflect On
- When is mercy insufficient?
- How to ensure fairness while showing compassion?
A Different Perspective
Excessive mercy can erode accountability.
![“They're mounting a campaign right now with the ACLU and a lot of different organizations advocating for [Edward Snoden] pardoning before [Barack] Obama leaves office. Wouldn't it be incredible to see something like that happen? I don't know what we can expect. I am interested in the different…” quote by Zachary Quinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/389/zachary-quinto-4021_advocating_they-re-mounting-a-campaign-right-now-wi_2908040.jpg)
![“[The Community's] crosses and trials give me confidence. But I derive my hope above all, and most especially, from our utter incapacity, for it is always upon nothingness that God is pleased to rear His works. If at any day we accomplish some good here, the glory will certainly be His alone, since…” quote by Theodore Guerin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2b8/theodore-guerin-54729_accomplish_the-community-s-crosses-and-trials-give_7176.jpg)
