By J. Fairbank
It seems as if Shakespeare himself was addressing the Nguyen Tuong Van case in this oft-quoted and oft-unheeded passage from The Merchant of Venice.
Singaporean government officials are among the most well-educated people in the world. I hope they find the time and inclination to dwell upon the passage below:
“The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest: It blesseth him that gives and him that takes. ‘Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes The throned monarch better than his crown. His scepter shows the force of temporal power, The attribute to awe and majesty, Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings. But mercy is above this sceptered sway; It is enthroned in the hearts of kings; It is an attribute of God himself; And earthly power doth then show like God’s when mercy seasons justice.”
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