Billy Hughes: A Portrait of Mercy Over Justice

Billy Hughes was Australia’s seventh prime minister, best known for his dry wit and for leading our country through World War 1.

He holds the record as the longest serving federal member of Parliament (51- years) and is the only Prime Minister to have served on both the Labor and conservative sides of politics.

At a sitting to have his portrait painted, an artist once reassured Billy Hughes: “Prime Minister, I just want to let you know that I’ll do my utmost to do you justice.”

“Justice?” Hughes famously replied, “Son, when it comes to my portrait, I’m not looking for justice, I’m looking for mercy.”

We are all drawing portraits of each other, all the time. Will we draw them in judgement or mercy?

Let it be for mercy. Relationships work best when we gaze upon each other in a soft, forgiving light.