Whether cruelty is opposed to clemency?

❌ Objection 1 : It would seem that cruelty is not opposed to clemency. For Seneca says (De Clementia ii, 4) that "those are said to be cruel who exceed in punishing," which is contrary to justice. Now clemency is reckoned a part, not of justice but of temperance. Therefore apparently cruelty is not opposed to clemency.

❌ Objection 2 : Further, it is written (Jer. 6:23): "They are cruel, and will have no mercy"; so that cruelty would seem opposed to mercy. Now mercy is not the same as clemency, as stated above (Question [157], Article [4], ad 3). Therefore cruelty is not opposed to clemency.

❌ Objection 3 : Further, clemency is concerned with the infliction of punishment, as stated above (Question [157], Article [1]): whereas cruelty applies to the withdrawal of beneficence, according to Prov. 11:17, "But he that is cruel casteth off even his own kindred." Therefore cruelty is not opposed to clemency.