there was once a soldier in napolean's army. one day, he deserted his position, was found, and sentenced to be executed. upon hearing this, his mother went to napolean and pleaded for her son's life.

napolean pressed, "why should i show him mercy? he doesn't deserve it."

the mother replied, "if he deserved it, it wouldn't be mercy."



if any of us deserved mercy, it wouldn't be mercy; it would be justice.