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As an aside, it occurs to me that we have a very modern conception of what 'mercy' means. At the core of mercy, lest we forget, lies a power differential. You cannot be merciful unless you have a power over someone which you are choosing not to exercise. That power might be a simple thing, even the power to ensure that someone has a pain free night. But there is always a power differential between the one extending mercy and the one receiving it.
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