Liber Iovis - Chapter 52

Verses

Mercy is a river. A river without banks becomes a flood and then complains that houses lack faith.

Chesed opens the hand. Wisdom decides what the hand should release.

The good king gives bread before statues of himself.

Do not call every boundary cruelty. A cup exists because something says here and no farther.

Jupiter expands what it touches; therefore place your virtues near it and keep your vanity in another room.

Forgive freely, but do not confuse forgiveness with returning the knife.

Generosity that requires witnesses is purchasing reputation at charitable rates.

The teacher asked, How much mercy is enough? The student said, All of it. The teacher replied, Then begin with those you have condemned as merciless.

Benevolence becomes divine only after it stops needing to be called divine.