“Murder is unique in that it abolishes the party it injures, so that society has to take the place of the victim and on his behalf demand atonement or grant forgiveness it is the one crime in which society has a direct interest.”
Forgiveness is not about letting someone off the hook — it is about putting the hook down. These quotes explore what it takes to release resentment, how to forgive without forgetting, and why holding a grudge mostly punishes the person holding it.
“Murder is unique in that it abolishes the party it injures, so that society has to take the place of the victim and on his behalf demand atonement or grant forgiveness it is the one crime in which society has a direct interest.”
“Murder is unique in that it abolishes the party it injures, so that society has to take the place of the victim and on his behalf demand atonement or grant forgiveness it is the one crime in which society has a direct interest.”
“One forgives to the degree that one loves.”
“God's forgiveness allows us to be honest with ourselves. We recognize our imperfections, admit our failures, and plead to God for clemency.”
“He that cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he must pass himself for every man has need to be forgiven.”
“I believe in the forgiveness of sin and the redemption of ignorance.”
“Every year during their High Holy Days, the Jewish community reminds us all of our need for repentance and forgiveness.”
“One important theme is the extent to which one can ever correct an error, especially outside any frame of religious forgiveness. All of us have done something we regret - how we manage to remove that from our conscience, or whether that's even possible, interested me.”
“The first step in forgiveness is the willingness to forgive.”
“On the Day of Atonement, Jews are commanded to seek forgiveness from the people we have hurt.”
“Man has two great spiritual needs. One is for forgiveness. The other is for goodness.”
“God pardons like a mother, who kisses the offense into everlasting forgiveness.”
“Forgiveness is the remission of sins. For it is by this that what has been lost, and was found, is saved from being lost again.”
“Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names.”
“All major religious traditions carry basically the same message, that is love, compassion and forgiveness the important thing is they should be part of our daily lives.”
“When women love us, they forgive us everything, even our crimes when they do not love us, they give us credit for nothing, not even our virtues.”