Mercy and Justice

By Saint Isaac the Syrian

Mercy and justice in one soul is like a person who worships God and idols in one house. Mercy is opposed to justice. Justice is the equality of the even scale, for it gives to each as one deserves; and when it makes recompense, it does not incline to one side or show respect of persons. Mercy, on the other hand, is a sorrow and pity stirred up by goodness, and it compassionately inclines a person in the direction of all; it does not requite a person who is deserving of evil, and to one who is deserving of good it gives a double portion. If, therefore, it is evident that mercy belongs to the portion of righteousness, then justice belongs to the portion of wickedness. As grass and fire cannot co-exist in one place, so justice and mercy cannot abide in one soul. As a grain of sand cannot counterbalance a great quantity of gold, so in comparison God’s use of justice cannot counterbalance mercy.

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