It is a common error, and the greater and more mischievous for being so common, to believe that repentance best becomes and most concerns dying men. Indeed, what is necessary every hour of our life is necessary in the hour of death too, and as long as one lives he will have need of repentance, and therefore it is necessary in the hour of death too; but he who hath constantly exercised himself in it in his health and vigor, will do it with less pain in his sickness and weakness; and he who hath practiced it all his life, will do it with more ease and less perplexity in the hour of his death.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
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
The tears of true penitence are not shed in vain.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Repentance won’t cure mischief.
—Scottish Proverb
When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.
—Helen Keller (1880–1968) American Author
Remorse is a violent dyspepsia of the mind.
—Ogden Nash (1902–71) American Writer of Sophisticated Light Verse
People do not mind their faults being spread out before them, but they become impatient if called on to give them up.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
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
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
Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable.
—Sydney J. Harris (1917–86) American Essayist, Drama Critic
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
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
There is no greater sorrow than to recall a happy time in the midst of wretchedness.
—Dante Alighieri (1265–1321) Italian Poet, Philosopher
As the ocean never freezes, so the gates of repentance never close.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Remorse sleeps during prosperity but awakes bitter consciousness during adversity.
—Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–78) Swiss-born French Philosopher
The best part of repentance is a little sinning.
—Arabic 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 Author, Mathematician, Clergyman, Logician
When the soul has laid down its faults at the feet of God, it feels as though it had wings.
—Eugenie de Guerin (1805–48) French Writer
It is foolish to lay out money for the purchase of repentance.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
One hour employed in this world in the exercise of repentance and good deeds is preferable to a whole life in the world to come; and one hour’s refreshment of spirit in the future world is preferable to the entire life in this.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
That a partner ‘gets’ you, this is what above all cements love: love as accurate (but still benevolent) interpretation.
—Marty Nemko (b.1950) American Career Coach
Repentance is the heart’s sorrow, and a clear life ensuing.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Compassion will cure more sins than condemnation.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
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
Repentance is but want of power to sin.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
Happy the man who repents in the strength of his manhood.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
But with morning cool repentance came.
—Walter Scott (1771–1832) Scottish Novelist, Poet, Playwright, Lawyer
When a man has turned away from sin, reproach him no more.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
The vain regret that steals above the wreck of squandered hours.
—John Greenleaf Whittier (1807–92) American Quaker Poet, Abolitionist
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
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