Mawson, C.O.S., ed. (1870–1938). Roget’s International Thesaurus. 1922. Class V. Words Releasing to the Voluntary Powers Division (II) Intersocial Volition Section I. General Intersocial Volition 740. Lenity.
NOUN: LENITY, lenitence, lenitency; moderation [See Moderation ]; tolerance, toleration; mildness, gentleness; favor; indulgence, indulgency [rare ], clemence [obs. ], clemency, mercy, for-bearance, quarter; compassion [See Pity ]. VERB: BE LENIENT &c. adj.; tolerate, bear with; parcere subjectis [L. ], spare the vanquished, give quarter.INDULGE; allow one to -go his own gait, - have his own way, spoil. ADJECTIVE: LENIENT; mild, - as milk; gentle, soft; tolerant, indulgent, easy, moderate, complaisant, unconcerned, easy-going; clement (compassionate ) [See Pity ]; for-bearing; long-suffering. QUOTATIONS: Lenity has almost always wisdom and justice on its side.—Ballou
He was the mildest manner’d man That ever scuttled ship or cut a throat.—Byron
Sweet mercy is nobility’s true badge.—Coriolanus
Nothing emboldens sin so much as mercy.—Timon of Athens
