Let us forget and forgive injuries.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
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
Nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in our lifetime; Therefore, we must be saved by hope. Nothing which is true, or beautiful, or good, makes complete sense in any immediate context of history; Therefore, we must be saved by faith. Nothing we do, however virtuous, could be accomplished alone; Therefore, we must be saved by love. No virtuous act is quite as virtuous from the standpoint of our friend or foe as it is from our own standpoint; Therefore, we must be saved by the final form of love, which is forgiveness.
—Reinhold Niebuhr (1892–1971) American Christian Theologian
You should pardon many things in others, nothing in yourself.
—Ausonius (c.309–392 CE) Latin Poet, Rhetorician
Resentments are burdens we don’t need to carry.
—Unknown
Forgiveness is a virtue of the learned. To err is human, to forgive divine.
—Subhashita Manjari Sanskrit Anthology of Proverbs
Forgive many things in others; nothing in yourself.
—Ausonius (c.309–392 CE) Latin Poet, Rhetorician
How unhappy is he who cannot forgive himself.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
Forgive yourself for your faults and your mistakes and move on.
—Les Brown
Be grateful to the man who cares nothing for your remorse. You are his equal.
—Rene Char (1907–88) French Poet, Resistance Member
The only unforgivable sin: Being unforgiving.
—Malcolm S. Forbes (1919–1990) American Publisher, Businessperson
A man can lose sight of everything else when he’s bent on revenge, and it ain’t worth it.
—Louis L’Amour (1908–88) American Novelist, Short-Story Writer
A sin confessed is half forgiven.
—French Proverb
When people screw up, give them a second chance.
—Richard Branson (b.1950) British Entrepreneur
A friend is never known till a man has need.
—Unknown
We all like to forgive, and love best not those who offend us least, nor who have done most for us, but those who make it most easy for us to forgive them.
—Samuel Butler
When we hate our enemies, we are giving them power over us: power over our sleep, our appetites, our blood pressure, our health and our happiness. Our enemies would dance with joy if only they knew how they were worrying us, lacerating us, and getting even with us! Our hate is not hurting them at al, but our hate is turning our days and nights into a hellish turmoil.
—Dale Carnegie (1888–1955) American Self-Help Author
May I tell you why it seems to me a good thing for us to remember wrong that has been done us? That we may forgive it.
—Charles Dickens (1812–70) English Novelist
Forgiveness is love in its most noble form.
—Anonymous
Who would care to question the ground of forgiveness or compassion?
—Joseph Conrad (1857–1924) Polish-born British Novelist
Forgiveness is better than bitterness because not only does it taste sweeter, but it doesn’t make you sick to your stomach!
—Guy Finley
Forgiveness is the way to true health and happiness.
—Gerald Jampolsky (b.1925) American Psychiatrist
Only the brave know how to forgive… A coward never forgave; it is not in his nature.
—Laurence Sterne (1713–68) Irish Anglican Novelist, Clergyman
Yesterday is a cancelled check; tomorrow is a promissory note; today is the only cash you have—so spend it wisely.
—Unknown
He who forgives a thief is a thief himself.
—Spanish Proverb
A fool-proof method for sculpting an elephant: first, get a huge block of marble; then you chip away everything that doesn’t look like an elephant.
—Unknown
Pardon, not wrath, is God’s best attribute.
—Bayard Taylor (1825–78) American Poet, Travel Writer, Translator
Great is the difference betwixt a man’s being frightened at, and humbled for his sins.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
Love is an act of endless forgiveness, a tender look which becomes a habit.
—Peter Ustinov (1921–2004) British Actor, Playwright, Director
Anger is a short madness.
—Dutch Proverb
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