Lenity: The Power of Mercy and Gentleness in Justice and Authority
Education
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Moneycontrol•12-01-2026, 09:26
Lenity: The Power of Mercy and Gentleness in Justice and Authority
- •Lenity, derived from Latin 'lenis' (soft/mild), means mildness, gentleness, and merciful forbearance, especially in judgment.
- •It is a conscious choice to temper justice with compassion, not weakness, indifference, or lack of principles.
- •Synonyms include leniency, clemency, mercy; antonyms are severity, harshness, rigor.
- •Lenity is seen in actions like a monarch granting pardon, a teacher offering revision, or legal interpretation favoring a defendant.
- •Practicing lenity requires courage to choose understanding and grace over punitive judgment, acknowledging human frailty.
Why It Matters: Lenity is the powerful virtue of tempering justice with compassion, choosing mercy and gentleness over harshness.
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