William Shakespeare on Pity
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“Tear-falling pity dwells not in his eye.”
“Is there no pity sitting in the clouds, That sees into the bottom of my grief?”
“My pity hath been balm to heal their wounds, My mildness hath allay'd their swelling griefs.”
“Villain, thou know'st no law of God nor man No beast so fierce but knows some touch of pity.”
“But, I perceive, Men must learn now with pity to dispense; For policy sits above conscience.”
“I shall despair. There is no creature loves me; And if I die, no soul shall pity me: Nay, wherefore should they, since that I myself Find in myself no pity to myself?”
“My friend, I spy some pity in thy looks; O, if thine eye be not a flatterer, Come thou on my side, and entreat for me, As you would beg, were you in my distress: A begging prince what beggar pities not?”
“Duncan Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been So clear in his great office, that his virtues Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against The deep damnation of his taking-off; And pity, like a naked new-born babe, Striding the blast, or heaven's cherubins, horsed Upon the sightless couriers of the air, Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye, That tears shall drown the wind.”