THE REASON FOR MERCY
During the Napoleanic Wars, a young, battle-weary French soldier fell asleep while on guard duty. He was court-martialed, found guilty, and sentenced to death. His widowed mother somehow arranged an audience with the Emperor Napoleon himself. Falling prostrate at his feet she begged him to spare her son’s life, explaining he was her only child and her sole means of support. Napoleon grew weary of her pleas. “Madam, your son does not deserve mercy. He deserves to die,” he said coldly. To which the mother immediately replied, “Of course, sire, you are right. That’s why I am asking you to show mercy on him. If he were deserving, it wouldn’t be mercy.” Napoleon was so touched by the logic of her statement that he pardoned the soldier. From Healing Grace, David A. Seamands, pg. 111
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