The Perils Of Pathological Altruism

“The quality of mercy is not strained. It dropeth as a gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath. It is twice bless-ed. It blesseth he who gives and he who takes. …” William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice

Forget the “takers”, Portia was right to focus on the fact that the prime motivating principle behind the showing of mercy, is the “blessing” that is owed to those who “give” it. She/he reminds Shylock that the showing of mercy is the route to the biggest prize of all, the salvation of the giver.

“In the course of justice we all must see salvation.”

But, all those blessings can be seriously addictive. Showing mercy and compassion can quickly become vices. They become vices at the point when they are the easy options taken to avoid making tough decisions or odious calls, and when done for the immediate rewards to be gained. Like the judge who uses mercy as a way of avoiding the personal guilt of sending a convicted felon to prison, and who then basks…