The flow of divine kindness and goodness into the world is absolute and balanced, touching every corner of reality rather than being limited to a select few. Unlike a human king who has limited resources and reserves his favor only for his most loyal and beloved servants, God extends His mercy to all of His creations without exception [אבן עזרא]. The primary approach among commentators is that God provides for everyone, whether they are good or bad [מצודת דוד]. Because God is the ultimate source of goodness [תורה תמימה], He does not hold grudges or take revenge against those who rebel against Him the way humans might. Instead, He is patient, hoping people will change their ways, as He has no desire to destroy the beings He created [מלבי״ם, אלשיך].
Even so, the Sages distinguish between the general goodness provided to the world and the specific care given to individuals. This is compared to an orchard owner who waters every tree in his field equally but only tends the soil and gives special attention to the very best trees. In the same way, God sustains everyone but offers close, special guidance to those who actively place their hope in Him [תורה תמימה].
This circle of mercy reaches far beyond the human race, taking in all living creatures across the earth [מצודת דוד]. It is clearly visible in the balance of the natural world, where God provides for both predators and their prey, maintaining life at every level [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. His kindness also appears in the natural order by giving plants and animals the ability to reproduce, ensuring that even as individual creatures pass away, their species will continue for generations [מאירי]. In fact, there are times when people who do not deserve a good life on their own merits receive blessings simply because of the animals they own, as God extends His mercy to those creatures [אלשיך].
Recognizing this divine trait, the Sages taught that people should adopt a similar path in life and avoid cruelty. For example, one sage intended to curse someone who was harassing him, but he stopped himself, realizing it was wrong to cause harm when God's mercy is meant for everyone. In another instance, a sage suffered terrible pain for years because he failed to show pity to a calf being taken to slaughter. His suffering finally ended only when he saw his servant about to sweep small animals out of his house. He stopped her and told her to let them live, recognizing that God's compassion rests upon all of His creations [תורה תמימה].