True repentance has a double aspect; it looks upon things past with a weeping eye, and upon the future with a watchful eye.
—Robert South (1634–1716) English Theologian, Preacher
But with morning cool repentance came.
—Walter Scott (1771–1832) Scottish Novelist, Poet, Playwright, Lawyer
Repentance is the relinquishment of any practice from the conviction that it has offended God.—Sorrow, fear, and anxiety are properly not parts, but adjuncts of repentance, yet they are too closely connected with it to be separated.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
Remorse is a violent dyspepsia of the mind.
—Ogden Nash (1902–71) American Writer of Sophisticated Light Verse
Repentance is another name for aspiration.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
It is never too late with us, so long as we are aware of our faults and bear them impatiently.
—Friedrich Heinrich Jacobi (1743–1819) German Philosopher
What is past is past, there is a future left to all men, who have the virtue to repent and the energy to atone.
—Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (1803–73) British Novelist, Poet, Politician
Great is the difference betwixt a man’s being frightened at, and humbled for his sins.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
This is another day! Are its eyes blurred With maudlin grief for any wasted past? A thousand thousand failures shall not daunt! Let dust clasp dust, death, death; I am alive.
—Don Marquis (1878–1937) American Humorist, Journalist, Author
He who seeks repentance for the past, should woo the angel virtue for the future.
—Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (1803–73) British Novelist, Poet, Politician
True penitence condemns to silence. What a man is ready to recall he would be willing to repeat.
—F. H. Bradley (1846–1924 ) British Idealist Philosopher
Repentance is a hearty sorrow for our past misdeeds, and a sincere resolution and endeavor, to the utmost of our power, to conform all our actions to the law of God. It does not consist in one single act of sorrow, but in doing works meet for repentance; in a sincere obedience to the law of Christ for the remainder of our lives.
—John Locke (1632–1704) English Philosopher, Physician
The vain regret that steals above the wreck of squandered hours.
—John Greenleaf Whittier (1807–92) American Quaker Poet, Abolitionist
The slightest sorrow for sin is sufficient if it produce amendment, and the greatest insufficient if it do not.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
There is no greater sorrow than to recall a happy time in the midst of wretchedness.
—Dante Alighieri (1265–1321) Italian Poet, Philosopher
There is one case of death-bed repentance recorded, that of the penitent thief, that none should despair; and only one that none should presume.
—Augustine of Hippo (354–430) Roman-African Christian Philosopher
Most people repent their sins by thanking God they ain’t so wicked as their neighbors.
—Josh Billings (Henry Wheeler Shaw) (1818–85) American Humorist, Author, Lecturer
Compassion will cure more sins than condemnation.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
Repentance is accepted remorse.
—Sophie Swetchine (1782–1857) Russian Mystic, Writer
Repentance won’t cure mischief.
—Scottish Proverb
“The horror of that moment,” the King went on, “I shall never, never forget!” “You will, though,” the Queen said, “if you don’t make a memorandum of it.
—Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) (1832–98) British Anglican Author, Mathematician, Clergyman, Photographer, Logician
If you would be good, first believe you are bad.
—Epictetus (55–135) Ancient Greek Philosopher
Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.
—Charles Dickens (1812–70) English Novelist
Many people can do well in school, even get PhDs, yet are unhireable in the real world. The degree is US’s most overrated product.
—Marty Nemko (b.1950) American Career Coach
So great is the virtue of repentance that it prolongs a man’s years.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
He who repents of having sinned is almost innocent.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
The tears of true penitence are not shed in vain.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
If you cannot get rid of the family skeleton, you may as well make it dance.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
Even the most righteous shall not attain to so high a place in heaven as the truly repentant.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Come, fair repentance, daughter of the skies! Soft harbinger of soon returning virtue; The weeping messenger of grace from heaven.
—Thomas Browne (1605–82) English Author, Physician