The Milk of Human Kindness

Lady McBeth frets in William Shakespeare's play, McBeth, that her husband, MacBeth, is "too full o' the milk of human kindness" to take the ruthless actions needed to seize the throne. In these days of vicious political attacks, we can certainly understand her perceived need for ruthless tactics. I, for one, can imagine powerful politicians, CEOs, administrators, or generals feel the need for ruthless resolve. Some would call it just being decisive. It seems rare, though, that the milk of human kindness would flow from such high-powered men or women.