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The quality of mercy is not strain’d, / It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven / Upon the place beneath.

William Shakespeare

Source
The Merchant of Venice, Act 4, Scene 1
Written
c. 1596

About this quotation

Portia, disguised as a lawyer, speaks these lines in the Venetian courtroom, urging Shylock to show mercy to Antonio instead of claiming the pound of flesh the bond allows. Shylock refuses, and the scene turns on the letter of that bond.

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Doubt thou the stars are fire; / Doubt that the sun doth move; / Doubt truth to be a liar; / But never doubt I love.
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