Forgiveness is the scent that the rose leaves on the heel that crushes it.
—Unknown
Forgiveness is almost a selfish act because of its immense benefits to the one who forgives.
—Lawana Blackwell (b.1954) American Author of Historical Fiction
God pardons like a mother, who kisses the offense into everlasting forgiveness.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
Nobody ever forgets where he buried a hatchet.
—Kin Hubbard (1868–1930) American Cartoonist, Humorist
Classic remorse, as all the moralists are agreed, is a most undesirable sentiment. If you have behaved badly, repent, make what amends you can and address yourself to the task of behaving better next time. On no account brood over your wrongdoing. Rolling in the muck is not the best way of getting clean.
—Aldous Huxley (1894–1963) English Humanist, Pacifist, Satirist, Short Story Writer
Forgiveness is a virtue of the brave.
—Indira Gandhi (1917–84) Indian Head of State
Those who can’t forget are worse off than those who can’t remember.
—Unknown
Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger … Let a man overcome anger by love.
—Buddhist Teaching
My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquity.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
God may forgive your sins, but your nervous system won’t.
—Alfred Korzybski (1879–1950) Polish-American Scientist, Philosopher of Language
Women and fools never forgive.
—Chinese Proverb
Forgiveness is the answer to the child’s dream of a miracle by which what is broken is made whole again, what is soiled is again made clean.
—Dag Hammarskjold (1905–61) Swedish Statesman, UN Diplomat
The best thing about giving of ourselves is that what we get is always better than what we give. The reaction is greater than the action.
—Orison Swett Marden (1850–1924) American New Thought Writer, Physician, Entrepreneur
Forgiveness is an inner correction that lightens the heart. It is for our peace of mind first. Being at peace, we will now have peace to give to others, and this is the most permanent and valuable gift we can possibly give.
—Gerald Jampolsky (b.1925) American Psychiatrist
A man who takes away another man’s freedom is a prisoner of hatred, he is locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness. I am not truly free if I am taking away someone else’s freedom, just as surely as I am not free when my freedom is taken from me. The oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity.
—Nelson Mandela (1918–2013) South African Political leader
How shall I lose the sin, yet keep the sense, and love the offender, yet detest the offence?
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
If it’s a good idea, go ahead and do it. It’s much easier to apologize than it is to get permission.
—Grace Hopper (1906–92) American Naval Officer, Mathematician
To love is human, it is also human to forgive.
—Plautus (Titus Maccius Plautus) (c.250–184 BCE) Roman Comic Playwright
Would not love see returning penitence afar off, and fall on its neck and kiss it?
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
To have the power to forgive,
Is empire and prerogative,
And ’tis in crowns a nobler gem,
To grant a pardon than condemn.
—Samuel Butler (1835–1902) British Victorian Novelist, Essayist, Critic
The more we know, the better we forgive.—Whoe’er feels deeply, feels for all that live.
—Anne Louise Germaine de Stael (1766–1817) French Woman of Letters
The sun should not set on our anger; neither should it rise on our confidence.—We should forgive freely, but forget rarely.—I will not be revenged; this I owe to my enemy.—I will remember; this I owe to myself.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
To forgive oneself? No, that doesn’t work: we have to be forgiven. But we can only believe this is possible if we ourselves can forgive.
—Dag Hammarskjold (1905–61) Swedish Statesman, UN Diplomat
If I owe Smith ten dollars and God forgives me, that doesn’t pay Smith.
—Robert G. Ingersoll (1833–99) American Lawyer, Orator, Agnostic
Let us forget and forgive injuries.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
Those who easily forgive invite offenses.
—Pierre Corneille (1606–84) French Poet, Dramatist
A man that studieth revenge keeps his own wounds green, which otherwise would heal and do well.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
Revenge could steal a man’s life until there was nothing left but emptiness.
—Louis L’Amour (1908–88) American Novelist, Short-Story Writer
If you can’t forgive and forget, pick one.
—Robert Brault
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