Cruelty

Cruelty is hardness of heart which makes one willing toinflict injurious or excessive punishment. It is a vice whichdirectly opposes the virtue of clemency.

Cruelty differs from brutality or savagery in this:cruelty recognizes its victim as one truly deserving punishment andis excessive in inflicting it; savagery or brutality takes inhumanand even bestial delight in the torture it inflicts on a humanbeing, regardless of the guilt or innocence of its victim.