"For when lenity and cruelty play for a kingdom, The gentler gamester is the soonest winner." --Shakespeare, Henry V, I don't know what act or scene but I remember it well--the one when Bardolph is hanged, and Henry commands (reminds?) his troops not to rape and pillage across the French countryside--"and none of the French upbraided or abused with disdainful language..."
Ah, nothing like your general reminder not to rape and pillage to keep a person civilized. ;-)
"For when lenity and cruelty play for a kingdom,
The gentler gamester is the soonest winner."
--Shakespeare, Henry V, I don't know what act or scene but I remember it well--the one when Bardolph is hanged, and Henry commands (reminds?) his troops not to rape and pillage across the French countryside--"and none of the French upbraided or abused with disdainful language..."
A more graceful word for leniency.