Weakness cannot show mercy, because weakness has no power to withhold; only strength can, because mercy is precisely the choice not to use a power you fully possess.

My grandmother was never stronger than in the moment she offered her thieving son a way to keep his freedom — not because she forgave him, which she did not, but because she was powerful enough to want her money back more than she wanted his suffering, and disciplined enough to choose the outcome over the vengeance.

He returned every dollar within two weeks.

Her mercy got her made whole.