63 Quotes about Forgiveness & 3 Tips on How to Forgive
Forgiveness does not come easy to everyone, but it can often be the first step in either mending a relationship and building on stronger foundations or moving on from something better left in the past. We will present you with quotes and sayings that will help you throughout your journey of forgiveness.
Making peace with the past or moving forward to start again with a once-broken relationship requires strength, mental fortitude and enough emotional awareness to overcome often tense feelings of guilt, anger or remorse.
Beautiful Quotes and Bible Verses about Forgiveness
Valuable lessons can be drawn from the Bible, which has a plentitude of stories and teachings on how to cast away anger and revenge for kindness and forgiveness.
The Bible has been a guiding light for many people worldwide when faced with difficult situations and needing answers.
When needing inspiration, trust in the Lord and the Bible to fulfill your need for answers and use that as your first step towards forgiveness.
Here you’ll find more beautiful quotes and inspirational sayings.
Bible Quotes and Verses on Forgiveness
Forgiving others -and yourself- is sometimes easier said than done. It doesn’t have to be that way. Picture a time when you find yourself feeling hurt by someone’s actions or overwhelmed with frustration over a situation that occurred, and turn to the Bible for advice.
The Bible will calm and guide you so that you won’t start to feel all the adverse side effects of stress or overwhelming dread on your mind, body and soul. Trust in the lord and draw inspiration from the few quotes we collected for you.
- Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
(Romans 12:17) - For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.
(Ephesians 2:8) - A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
(Proverbs 15:1) - Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
(Matthew 5:7) - For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.
(Hebrews 8:12) - A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
(John 13:34) - If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
(Chronicles 7:14) - If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, … If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.
(Luke 17:3) - To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.
(Acts 10: 43) - Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
(Isaiah 55:7) - He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
(John 2:2) - The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
(Acts 17:30)
Here you’ll find more christian quotes.
“Love Is Forgiveness”: Inspirational Quotes
Love is a powerful emotion known to have bridged vast gulfs and mended deeply torn relationships. Though love is an emotion to show affection, it can also be seen as a force to overcome negative feelings over a situation involving oneself or someone else.
Love is a universal language, and it is recognized and valued the world over. We have compiled a few quotes which you can use to send a message of forgiveness through kindness and love.
- Forgiveness is choosing to love. It is the first skill of self-giving love.
(Mahatma Gandhi, Indian revolutionary, 1869-1948) - Forgive, forget. Bear with the faults of others as you would have them bear with yours.
(Phillips Brooks, American clergyman, 1835-1893) - One forgives to the degree that one loves.
(François de La Rochefoucauld, French author, 1613-1680) - Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
(Isaiah, Hebrew prophet, c. 7th century BC) - I love Jesus, who said to us: Heaven and earth will pass away. When heaven and earth have passed away, my word will remain. What was your word, Jesus? Love? Forgiveness? Affection? All your words were one word: Wakeup.
(Antonio Machado, Spanish poet, 1875-1939) - Grace is the wonderful spirit that imbues every fiber of our being when we practice the fruits of the spirit: kindness, patience, understanding, forgiveness, love, gentleness, fellowship and endurance.
(Edgar Cayce, American celebrity, 1877-1945) - Surely it is much more generous to forgive and remember, than to forgive and forget.
(Maria Edgeworth, Anglo-Irish novelist, 1768-1849) - The apology comes with a sacrifice – to make amends, with all your heart, with the wrong things you did.
(Unknown) - A family is made up of these words – ‘please’, ‘I love you and ‘I’m sorry.’
(Unknown) - Whether with a family, a friend or a lover, any relationship needs a continuous supply of forgiveness, love, and honesty to work.
(Unknown)
Quotes about Forgiveness in Relationships
Humans are social beings, and once a bond has been formed, it can tremendously hurt when suddenly or gradually ruptured and broken. The memories, the familiarity and the uncertainty of the future can all lead to severe emotional stress and despair.
Sometimes it is worth repairing a broken bridge that was once there and possibly make it even stronger when enough effort is put into words and deeds.
To help you, we have gathered a few quotes that can help you put things in the past with someone you used to call your partner or want to bury bad blood for good and move on.
- The ineffable joy of forgiving and being forgiven forms an ecstasy that might well arouse the envy of the gods.
(Elbert Hubbard, American writer, 1856-1915) - People are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges.
(Joseph F. Newton, Minister in the United States, 1880-1950) - 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.
(Aurelius Augustinus, Roman bishop, 354-430 A.D.) - It’s easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend.
(Unknown) - Beware of the man who does not return your blow: he neither forgives you nor allows you to forgive yourself.
(George Bernard Shaw, Irish playwright, 1856-1950) - He that cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass if he would ever reach heaven; for everyone needs to be forgiven.
(George Herbert, British poet, 1593-1633) - How unhappy is he who cannot forgive himself?
(Publilius Syrus, Roman moralist and aphorist, 90-40 B.C.) - If I owe Smith ten dollars and God forgives me, that doesn’t pay Smith.
(Robert Green Ingersoll, American lawyer and writer, 1833-1899) - Forgiveness is a powerful tool to reconnect with the offender and your true, inner self.
(Unknown) - Many promising reconciliations have broken down because while both parties come prepared to forgive, neither party came prepared to be forgiven.
(Charles Williams, British writer, 1886-1945) - Before we can forgive one another, we have to understand one another.
(Emma Goldman, American activist, 1869-1940)
Quotes on “Forgive and Forget”
Forgiveness is hard, but holding on to hurt is harder. Humans are emotional creatures — when we feel wronged, pain and anger have us seeing red and longing for sweet revenge. Open any history book, and you’ll know that’s true.
There’s a reason why there are so many wise sayings about being the bigger person, about freeing oneself from the grip of anger and revenge-seeking, and about forgiving but not forgetting, lest the perpetrator make us fools of again. It can be an unsettling period, but it doesn’t have to be.
To help you, we have a few quotes to offer you as reassurance and encouragement to stay on your chosen path.
- Children begin by loving their parents; after a time they judge them; rarely, if ever, do they forgive them.
(Oscar Wilde, Irish poet, 1854-1900) - He that cannot forgive others, breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass if he would ever reach heaven; for everyone has need to be forgiven.
(George Herbert, British poet, 1593-1633) - Sweet mercy is nobility’s true badge.
(William Shakespeare, English playwright, 1564-1616) - Anger begets more anger, and forgiveness and love lead to more forgiveness and love.
(Mahavira, supreme preacher of Jainism, c. 599 BC) - If there is something to pardon in everything, there is also something to condemn.
(Friedrich Nietzsche, German philosopher, 1844-1900) - To err is human; to forgive, divine.
(Alexander Pope, English poet, 1688-1744) - There is no revenge so complete as forgiveness.
(Josh Billings, American comedian, 1818-1885) - Forgiveness is God’s command.
(Martin Luther, German Augustinian monk, 1483-1546) - I never forgive, but I always forget.
(Arthur Balfour, British politician, 1848-1930) - Never does the human soul appear so strong as when it foregoes revenge and dares to forgive an injury.
(Edwin Hubble Chapin, American preacher, 1814-1880)
Sayings about the Love of Forgiveness
Forgiveness is an essential aspect of emotional well-being and a critical component of many spiritual and religious practices. When we forgive, we let go of anger, bitterness, and resentment towards those who have hurt us, and we open ourselves up to a more peaceful, fulfilling life.
Love is often seen as an essential ingredient to forgive and can be powerful when used at the right time in the moment. To help you get inspired, we are providing a few quotes to get you started.
- To understand everything is to forgive everything.
(Buddha, founder of Buddhism, 560 B.C.-483 B.C.) - We are not all perfect, forgive others as you would want to be forgiven.
(Unknown) - A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers.
(Robert Quillen, American journalist, 1887-1948) - It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend.
(William Blake, English poet, 1757-1827) - Let us forgive each other – only then will we live in peace.
(Leo Tolstoy, Russian novelist, 1828-1910) - What you do not want to be done to yourself, do not do to others.
(Confucius, Chinese philosopher, 551 B.C.-479 B.C.) - Forgiveness is me giving up my right to hurt you for hurting me.
(Unknown) - Always forgive your enemies – nothing annoys them so much.
(Oscar Wilde, Irish poet, 1854-1900) - You must forgive me, for I struggled only for you.
(Emily Brontë, English novelist, 1818-1848) - Forgiving them isn’t the hard part, it’s trying to trust them again.
(Unknown)
Are you looking for more spiritual quotes? Here you’ll find them.
“Forgive Yourself”: Beautiful and Inspiring Quotes
Forgiving others can be challenging, but forgiving yourself is sometimes impossible. We are often our worst enemies, and giving ourselves kindness, understanding, and affection can seem very alien.
Yet, we are who we are 24/7 until the last of our day, so why prolong suffering and regret needlessly?
It shows great strength and maturity to come to terms with one’s flaws and mistakes and to accept them. It is as much of an emotional and a mental self-discovery journey.
To assist you in this, we have compiled a few quotes to guide and inspire you.
- Do as the heavens have done, forget your evil; With them forgive yourself.
(William Shakespeare, English playwright, 1564-1616) - The more you know yourself, the more you forgive yourself.
(Confucius, Chinese philosopher, 551 B.C.-479 B.C.) - Learn to forgive yourself.
(Unknown) - Our sorrows and wounds are only healed when we touch them with compassion.
(Buddha, founder of Buddhism, 560 B.C.-483 B.C.) - Forgiveness is man’s deepest need and highest achievement.
(Horace, Roman poet, 65-8 B.C.) - I will permit no man to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him.
(Booker T. Washington, American educator, 1856-1915) - To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it.
(Confucius) - There isn’t time, so brief is life, for bickerings, apologies, heartburnings, callings to account. There is only time for loving, and but an instant, so to speak, for that.
(Mark Twain, American writer, 1835-1910) - It is surely better to pardon too much than to condemn too much.
(George Eliot, English writer, 1819-1880)
Tips on How to Forgive
Forgiveness requires a great deal of mental strength, emotional control and, foremost, a willingness to move forward and on from the past. It demonstrates a readiness to let go and to either wholly cut ties or mend that which was but in a different way.
It can be challenging and bewildering to figure out where to begin when you have any questions, doubts or even fear to make that step.
Forgiveness is often linked with vulnerability, but it can also be a stepping stone to many things, possibly saving a broken relationship that is worth saving or moving on from one that is better left buried for good.
We have prepared a few tips to help you decide to step towards forgiveness.
Have a Chat with Your Feelings
Before you can forgive someone, you’ll want to make sure you can put your feelings about what happened into words. That requires you first to embrace those feelings, even the unwanted ones. Talk to someone you trust about them.
Even if you don’t want to get into all the details of what happened, your support system can play an essential role in forgiveness. They’ve probably already helped you get through the worst of your pain and can offer more support as you begin to heal.
Try Seeing the Bright Side
When someone hurts you, you’re probably not in a position to notice any benefits that come out of the situation. You may have more emotional space to recognize what you’ve gained in time.
After the initial betrayal, you could admit the relationship wasn’t working out, and it could open your eyes to the problems in the relationship.
Whatever the reasons, at least you took a good look at the positives and negatives and can choose what works best for you from a bright point of view.
Once You Are Ready, Don’t Hesitate and Just Do It
Once you have set your mind, go ahead and do the deed. Either forgive or forget and see your whole path through.
You might get instances of doubt or guilt but remember tips 1 and 2, where you made sure that you highlighted and looked at everything from your perspective.
That is the key, and it will help you keep things in perspective when hitting roadblocks and bumps along the way.
In the end, prolonging will not do you any good but will make things worse since you might end up in a cycle of self-negativity and procrastination. Once you are set, don’t let anything or anyone stop you.