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30 Quotes of Forgiveness
Forgiveness: the action or process of forgiving or being forgiven
As you continue on your path towards living a happy life full of gratitude and love, use these quotes in your daily practice.
1. “Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.”
― Oscar Wilde
2. “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
3. “To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”
― C.S. Lewis
4. “The truth is, unless you let go, unless you forgive yourself, unless you forgive the situation, unless you realize that the situation is over, you cannot move forward.”
― Steve Maraboli
5. “Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.”
― Corrie Ten Boom
6. “True forgiveness is when you can say, “Thank you for that experience.”
― Oprah Winfrey
7. “Forgiveness is not an occasional act, it is a constant attitude.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.
8. “Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names.”
― John F. Kennedy
9. “It is only when the mind is free from the old that it meets everything anew, and in that there is joy.”
― J. Krishnamurti
10. “Forgiveness is the final form of love.”
― Reinhold Niebuhr
11. “You will know that forgiveness has begun when you recall those who hurt you and feel the power to wish them well.”
― Lewis B. Smedes
12. “That’s one of the things we learn as we grow older — how to forgive. It comes easier at forty than it did at twenty.”
― L.M. Montgomery
13. “Forgiveness is healing—everything is energy—thoughts create—we are all connected—what you resist persists—true love never dies—the soul’s immortality is the only true immortality—”
― alyson noel
14. “We all love best not those who offend us least, nor those who have done most for us, but those who make it most easy for us to forgive them.”
― Samuel Butler
15. “Forgiving yourself, believing in yourself and choosing to love yourself are the best gifts one could receive.”
― Brittany Burgunder
16. “Murderers don’t get forgiven just because we promise to be good from now on. We have to earn our way back. One hundred is the price. One hundred lives for each we took. That seems fair. That’s how we get whole again and that’s our work, from now until as long as it takes.”
― Bill Willingham
17. “Now here’s a good one:
you’re lying on your deathbed.
You have one hour to live.
Who is it, exactly, you have needed
all these years to forgive?”
― Louise Penny
18. “A true friend doesn’t have guts; they beat you up and later plead with you to beat them back.”
― Michael Bassey Johnson
19. “Don’t dwell too much on the past. The lessons are useful for the present and a preparation for the future. Move on!”
― Lailah Gifty Akita
20. “Forgiveness spares the expense of anger, the cost of hatred, the waste of spirits.”
― Hannah More
21. “The ultimate form of forgiveness is in comprehending there’s nothing to forgive.”
― Roy Bennett
22. “There are certain things in life that you’ll be forgiven for, no matter how thoughtless or stupid or reckless, but if you do that same thing twice, you’re on your own.”
― Jennifer E. Smith
23. “A world where a majority had imbibed the lessons implicit within tragic art would be one in which the consequences of our failures would necessarily cease to weigh upon us so heavily.”
― Alain de Botton
24. “Healing Follows Forgiveness”
― Pat Bluth
25. “Humanity must forgive ‘Humanity’, for only then can we be Humane.”
― Ilyas Kassam
26. “To forgive does not mean to condone.”
― Allan Lokos
27. “Forgiveness is the fastest way to a spiritual path and inner peace of mind”
― Muhaya Haji Mohamad
28. “You can forgive someone and still think they are an asshole. Forgiveness doesn’t change what a person is, it only changes you.”
― Shannon L. Alder
29. “You may be broken many times, but giving chances to people doesn’t mean you need support or can’t live alone. It means you are a person with a forgiving heart.”
― Vikrant Adams
30. “Instead of trying to find forgiveness, allow forgiveness to find you.”
― Stephanie Sarazin
Forgiveness isn’t just about saying sorry or accepting an apology; it’s about finding peace within ourselves. Mahatma Gandhi reminds us that forgiveness requires strength. It’s not for the weak. It’s about letting go of resentment and, in many ways, taking control of your life. When you forgive, you release a heavy burden from your shoulders, allowing yourself to grow and heal.
Gandhi’s wisdom is reinforced by C.S. Lewis, who ties forgiveness to the Christian faith. He highlights that forgiving what’s unforgivable is at the heart of Christian teachings because you’re recognizing the deep forgiveness extended to you. Think about that, forgiving someone for the seemingly unforgivable not only aligns with a moral standpoint but liberates your spirit.
Speaking of liberation, Steve Maraboli nails it when talking about letting go. Holding onto grudges is like dragging old baggage everywhere—eventually, it just weighs you down. Moving forward demands that you drop that load. Reflect on what’s been holding you back and ask if it’s worth more of your time.
Lewis B. Smedes adds that forgiveness is not about the person who hurt you; it’s about reclaiming your power to wish them well. It’s a personal victory, a way to reclaim joy and creativity that negative feelings might have robbed from you. By offering forgiveness, you open doors in relationships that might have seemed shut forever. It’s a personal gift as much as a social one.
Ultimately, whilst forgiveness is a personal choice, its impact ripples through our interpersonal relationships. It’s a tool for growth. Learning to forgive doesn’t mean you accept all wrongs or let others walk over you; instead, it’s about choosing peace and kindness over bitterness and rage, creating a more harmonious life.
Quotes to Inspire Forgiveness and Gratitude in Everyday Life
Oscar Wilde’s quip about always forgiving your enemies is cheeky but spot-on. By forgiving, you’re staying focused on yourself, not what annoys others.
Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. remind us that forgiveness is more than a sporadic act; it’s a way of life. They see it as a relentless commitment, an empowering stance that brings inner strength.
Among the countless truths Oprah Winfrey has shared, her take on forgiveness as gratitude is worth framing. It suggests we need to appreciate the tough lessons life hands us. Next time things go sideways, try saying thank you for the growth.
Louise Penny and Brittany Burgunder have equally valuable insights. Penny prompts a check on our ‘to forgive’ list and Burgunder heralds self-love, which makes forgiving others a touch more manageable.
By embracing these thoughts, forgiveness transforms into a daily attitude that fuels gratitude. It’s not easy, but with practice, it leads to a more positive and peaceful mindset. Consider making these quotes a part of your daily reflections; keep them where you can see them often.
Exploring Forgiveness in Different Contexts—Social, Emotional, and Spiritual
Reinhold Niebuhr captures the essence of forgiveness when he describes it as the final form of love. Now that’s deep, isn’t it? It illustrates just how intertwined forgiveness and love are, showing us that to truly love, one must forgive.
Corrie Ten Boom and Pat Bluth highlight forgiveness as a path to healing. Their views suggest that holding onto grudges can block personal and spiritual growth, whereas forgiveness leads to emotional freedom, giving you the space to heal and grow.
John F. Kennedy brings a practical edge with his idea of forgiving enemies. It’s a reminder that while you may forgive, you don’t have to forget. Learning from experiences while letting go of bitterness keeps us cautious but not bogged down by past grudges.
J. Krishnamurti’s insight on meeting life anew warns us about the traps of the past. By letting go, we start fresh, opening ourselves to new experiences without old, heavy prejudices. It’s a liberating idea that fits uniquely within both emotional and spiritual spheres.
Hannah More and Roy Bennett bring attention to forgiveness alleviating emotional strife and contributing to spiritual balance. More’s view on saving the expense of anger speaks to the draining nature of holding on to pain, while Bennett’s notion that understanding there may be nothing to forgive offers a path to tranquility and peace of mind.
These diverse views remind us that forgiveness isn’t a one-size-fits-all deal; it wields considerable power in various aspects of life. Whether for personal healing, social strategy, or spiritual peace, understanding and practicing forgiveness can be transformative.
Practical Steps to Embrace Forgiveness and Incorporate it into Daily Life
The past can be a stubborn thing, sticking around like an unwanted guest. Lailah Gifty Akita and Jennifer E. Smith emphasize the importance of moving beyond past grievances. They suggest viewing these as lessons rather than regrets, which clears the path forward.
Brittany Burgunder offers a gentle reminder about self-forgiveness. Sometimes, forgiving ourselves for mistakes is the hardest part. Creating a routine that includes self-reflection and acknowledging personal growth can foster a more forgiving attitude.
Vikrant Adams sees the forgiving heart as a strength, not a weakness. It takes courage to let someone have second or even third chances and doing so can be liberating. Start small—maybe forgive someone for a minor slight as practice.
Shannon L. Alder shares the idea that forgiveness doesn’t change who others are but changes you. It’s a gift you give yourself, allowing you to shift focus from anger to more constructive emotions. Want less stress? Consider forgiving once or twice—feel the relief.
Muhaya Haji Mohamad speaks to the peace of mind that comes from consistent forgiveness. Making it a habit enhances your spiritual well-being and adds harmony to everyday life. Stephanie Sarazin adds to this by suggesting we allow forgiveness to find us, which can often happen when we least expect it.
By integrating these practical steps into your life, forgiveness becomes less an obligation and more a form of self-care. Like a muscle, the more you practice it, the stronger it gets. This journey towards becoming more forgiving enriches both individual lives and broader communities.
Suggested Resources & Reading
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- Habit Tracker sold on Amazon
- Prompted Gratitude Journal sold on Amazon
- Year of Gratitude Page-A-Day Calendar sold on amazon
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