Literary notes about leniency (AI summary)
Literary works employ leniency in a variety of ways, often using it as a lens to examine the balance between mercy and justice. It is sometimes portrayed as a calculated policy—where rulers or magistrates extend clemency despite personal or political dilemmas, as seen when financial intrigues or national sentiment influence decisions [1][2][3]. In other instances, leniency emerges within interpersonal relations, highlighting how compassion can mitigate harsh judgments, yet also be criticized as overly permissive, thereby stirring debate about fairness and accountability [4][5][6]. By exploring such contrasts, authors reveal leniency to be a multifaceted concept that encapsulates both the moral virtues and the potential pitfalls inherent in weighing severity against forgiveness [7][8].
- Charles’s leniency towards Ranelagh may be explained by His Majesty having received money without accounting for it publicly.
— from Ireland under the Stuarts and During the Interregnum, Vol. 3 (of 3), 1660-1690 by Richard Bagwell - In another ruler than Henry, the leniency which we attribute to astute policy would have been freely described as surprising magnanimity.
— from England under the Tudors by Arthur D. (Arthur Donald) Innes - The secretary of war had pronounced against any leniency toward what were dubbed glaring traitors.
— from The Lincoln Story Book
A Judicious Collection of the Best Stories and Anecdotes of the Great President, Many Appearing Here for the First Time in Book Form - We must neither judge ourselves with too much leniency nor with too much severity.
— from The Catholic World, Vol. 17, April, 1873 to September, 1873
A Monthly Magazine of General Literature and Science by Various - And speaking for myself, I can assure you that I have come long ago to regard her faults with the same leniency that I accord my own.
— from The Eagle's Shadow by James Branch Cabell - You treated him with altogether too much leniency, Mr. Bryant."
— from The Iron Furrow by George C. (George Clifford) Shedd - This is a leniency, Sir, which I hope you will remember.’
— from The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens - Gawhar, like his master, always disposed to a politic leniency, renewed his former promises, and granted a complete amnesty to all who submitted.
— from The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 05
(From Charlemagne to Frederick Barbarossa)