By Dr. Donald DeMarco, Catholic Exchange - Much of the confusion concerning the virtue of mercy lies in the fact that it is not an independent virtue such as courage, kindness, gratitude, or generosity. Mercy does not stand alone. It is a complementary virtue and its necessary partner is justice. Mercy completes justice, as a tasty dessert completes a fine meal... It is easy to love mercy, more difficult to love justice. But if mercy is to be received, it must first be deserved. Only when justice is honored is mercy deserved.