--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We shall show mercy, but we shall not ask…" description: "\"We shall show mercy, but we shall not ask for it.\" — Winston Churchill" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f2/winston-churchill-95_compassion_we-shall-show-mercy-but-we-shall-not-ask_1843769.jpg" --- # We shall show mercy, but we shall not ask for it. ![“We shall show mercy, but we shall not ask for it.” quote by Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f2/winston-churchill-95_compassion_we-shall-show-mercy-but-we-shall-not-ask_1843769.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f2/winston-churchill-95_compassion_we-shall-show-mercy-but-we-shall-not-ask_1843769.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f2/winston-churchill-95_compassion_we-shall-show-mercy-but-we-shall-not-ask_1843769.jpg) > “We shall show mercy, but we shall not ask for it.” [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We can offer compassion but must not demand it from others. **In simple terms:** Offer mercy, don’t expect it in return. Key Takeaway Give without expecting. Themes compassion self‑reliance ethics Mood solemn determined Type ethical political When to use this quote - humanitarian aid - personal relationships - political negotiations Key Concepts human dignity power dynamics moral responsibility Questions to Reflect On - What limits the willingness to give? - How can societies balance mercy and self‑interest? A Different Perspective People may exploit mercy if not reciprocated. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Mercy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mercy/) ## Related quotes > [Oh my lady what such mercy you upon me but before I befall to your lovey charms I much say you do shall give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-country/oh-my-lady-what-such-mercy-you-upon-me-but-before-i-befall-to-your/) [Michael Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-country/) > [Bearing ourselves humbly before God ... we await undismayed the impending assault ... be the ordeal sharp or long, or both, we shall seek…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/bearing-ourselves-humbly-before-god-we-await-undismayed-the-impending/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/surely-goodness-and-mercy-shall-follow-me-all-the-days-of-my-life-and-3/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/surely-goodness-and-mercy-shall-follow-me-all-the-days-of-my-life-and-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It is not a terrible thing to a wretched soul, when it shall lie roaring perpetually in the flames of hell, and the God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-baxter/it-is-not-a-terrible-thing-to-a-wretched-soul-when-it-shall-lie/) [Richard Baxter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-baxter/) > [Invoke the Mercy of God and as milk returns not to the udder go not back to your wrongdoing." "Have compassion on yourself and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad/invoke-the-mercy-of-god-and-as-milk-returns-not-to-the-udder-go-not/) [Muhammad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad/) > [I see not a step before me as I tread on another year;But I've left the Past in God's keeping,-the FutureHis mercy shall clear;And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-gardiner-brainard/i-see-not-a-step-before-me-as-i-tread-on-another-year-but-i-ve-left/) Mary Gardiner Brainard > [Mercy is like the rainbow, which God hath set in the clouds; it never shines after it is night. If we refuse mercy here,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-taylor/mercy-is-like-the-rainbow-which-god-hath-set-in-the-clouds-it-never/) [Jeremy Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-taylor/) > [“In God's case, if He had said in the infinite sovereignty of His absolute will, "I will have no substitute, but each man shall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-h-spurgeon/in-god-s-case-if-he-had-said-in-the-infinite-sovereignty-of-his/) [Charles H. Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-h-spurgeon/) > [“How good it would be to know where to look for help in this life and what to expect after it, there, beyond the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/how-good-it-would-be-to-know-where-to-look-for-help-in-this-life-and/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [“In particular, we must observe   this general rule, that we cordially desire and labor for the welfare   of the whole human race. Thus it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calvin/in-particular-we-must-observe-this-general-rule-that-we-cordially/) [John Calvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calvin/) > [“I walked out to the hill just now. It is exalting, delicious. To stand embraced by the shadows of a friendly tree with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-elliot/i-walked-out-to-the-hill-just-now-it-is-exalting-delicious-to-stand/) [Jim Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-elliot/) > [Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about. (Psalms 32:10)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/many-sorrows-shall-be-to-the-wicked-but-he-that-trusteth-in-the-lord/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [“Dost thou verily think that the Earl of Birmingham is low enough to plead for his life?' Sir Robert returned angrily, the wrathful blood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alicia-a-willis/dost-thou-verily-think-that-the-earl-of-birmingham-is-low-enough-to/) [Alicia A. Willis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alicia-a-willis/) > [Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/surely-goodness-and-mercy-shall-follow-me-all-the-days-of-my-life-and/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) ## More by Winston Churchill > [The man who can master his time can master nearly anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-man-who-can-master-his-time-can-master-nearly-anything/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [This is no time for ease and comfort. It is time to dare and endure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/this-is-no-time-for-ease-and-comfort-it-is-time-to-dare-and-endure/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [If I had been an Italian I am sure that I should have been whole-heartedly with you from the start to finish in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/if-i-had-been-an-italian-i-am-sure-that-i-should-have-been-whole/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [Never, never, never give up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/never-never-never-give-up/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [I play for high stakes and given an audience - there is no act too daring or too noble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/i-play-for-high-stakes-and-given-an-audience-there-is-no-act-too/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [Man will occasionally stumble over the truth, but most times he will pick himself up and carry on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/man-will-occasionally-stumble-over-the-truth-but-most-times-he-will/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [The American Constitution declares 'All men are born equal.' The British Socialist Party add: 'All men must be kept equal'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-american-constitution-declares-all-men-are-born-equal-the-british/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [God alone knows how great it is. All I hope is that it is not too late. I am very much afraid that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/god-alone-knows-how-great-it-is-all-i-hope-is-that-it-is-not-too-late/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [When you're 20 you care what everyone thinks, when you're 40 you stop caring what everyone thinks, when you're 60 you realize no one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/when-you-re-20-you-care-what-everyone-thinks-when-you-re-40-you-stop/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [Writing a book is an adventure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/writing-a-book-is-an-adventure/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [All men make mistakes, but only wise men learn from their mistakes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/all-men-make-mistakes-but-only-wise-men-learn-from-their-mistakes/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [People who are not prepared to do unpopular things and defy the clamor of the multitude are not fit to be ministers in time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/people-who-are-not-prepared-to-do-unpopular-things-and-defy-the/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [To meet Roosevelt with all his buoyant sparkle, his iridescence, was like opening a bottle of champagne.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/to-meet-roosevelt-with-all-his-buoyant-sparkle-his-iridescence-was/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [I am always ready to learn although I do not always like being taught.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/i-am-always-ready-to-learn-although-i-do-not-always-like-being-taught/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [There are plenty of good ideas, if only they can be backed with the power of action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/there-are-plenty-of-good-ideas-if-only-they-can-be-backed-with-the/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) [Explore all 1,366 Winston Churchill quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) ## More Compassion quotes > [Half the misery of human life might be extinguished if men would alleviate the general curse they lie under by mutual offices of compassion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/half-the-misery-of-human-life-might-be-extinguished-if-men-would/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [“I fight with love and kindness as my weapons and compassion as my defense.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debasish-mridha/i-fight-with-love-and-kindness-as-my-weapons-and-compassion-as-my/) [Debasish Mridha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debasish-mridha/) > [I really enjoy making people laugh; I've discovered that's a great technique. That's as powerful as stirring their sorrow, stirring their compassion, because that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/i-really-enjoy-making-people-laugh-i-ve-discovered-that-s-a-great/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [“If you refuse to use physical force, then you will be at the mercy of your oppressor!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/segun-magbagbeola/if-you-refuse-to-use-physical-force-then-you-will-be-at-the-mercy-of/) Segun Magbagbeola > [For some reason, we are truly convinced that if we criticize ourselves, the criticism will lead to change. If we are harsh, we believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/for-some-reason-we-are-truly-convinced-that-if-we-criticize-ourselves/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [I could not have slept tonight if I had left that helpless little creature to perish on the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-could-not-have-slept-tonight-if-i-had-left-that-helpless-little/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [We are puzzled and bewildered whenever we see suffering in this world because we have become accustomed to the mercy and the long-suffering of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/we-are-puzzled-and-bewildered-whenever-we-see-suffering-in-this-world/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [“Helpers in every corner, helpers in every hood. That's how we'll make the move, to reform from rude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/helpers-in-every-corner-helpers-in-every-hood-that-s-how-we-ll-make/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [There are a number of qualities which are important for mental peace, but from the little experience I have, I believe that one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/there-are-a-number-of-qualities-which-are-important-for-mental-peace/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [May the gods have mercy on whoever pisses them off, because Zarek and Jericho will have none for them. (Madoc) You’d better be glad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/may-the-gods-have-mercy-on-whoever-pisses-them-off-because-zarek-and/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [When you need empathy, you cannot give empathy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/when-you-need-empathy-you-cannot-give-empathy/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [But victimhood was seductive, a release from responsibility and caring. Fear would be transmuted into weary resignation; failure would no longer generate guilt but,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/but-victimhood-was-seductive-a-release-from-responsibility-and-caring/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“No one has any right to tell you that the way you perceive yourself is wrong. Because by doing so, they also discourage the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamand-kojouri/no-one-has-any-right-to-tell-you-that-the-way-you-perceive-yourself/) [Kamand Kojouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamand-kojouri/) > [“la ilaha ilallah muhammadun rasulullah, alaihi salatullah wa alihi wal ahibba "shine your mercy like the sun, and be gracious as the earth let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/talib-al-habib/la-ilaha-ilallah-muhammadun-rasulullah-alaihi-salatullah-wa-alihi-wal/) Talib al Habib > [The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-darwin/the-love-for-all-living-creatures-is-the-most-noble-attribute-of-man/) [Charles Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-darwin/) [Browse all 9,892 Compassion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We shall show mercy, but we shall not ask for it.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Winston Churchill" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/we-shall-show-mercy-but-we-shall-not-ask-for-it/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Compassion" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/we-shall-show-mercy-but-we-shall-not-ask-for-it/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f2/winston-churchill-95_compassion_we-shall-show-mercy-but-we-shall-not-ask_1843769.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f2/winston-churchill-95_compassion_we-shall-show-mercy-but-we-shall-not-ask_1843769.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f2/winston-churchill-95_compassion_we-shall-show-mercy-but-we-shall-not-ask_1843769.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We shall show mercy, but we shall not ask for it.” — Winston Churchill", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Winston Churchill", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We shall show mercy, but we...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/we-shall-show-mercy-but-we-shall-not-ask-for-it/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/we-shall-show-mercy-but-we-shall-not-ask-for-it/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```