We all make mistakes. We say things we regret, do things we’re not proud of. And when we hurt someone else, it’s natural to want to apologize. But sometimes, an apology isn’t enough. You may need to forgive yourself as well. Below are some quotes about forgiveness that can help you start the process.
The best forgiveness quotes
1. Forgiveness is a scalpel that removes emotional scars. — Maxwell Maltz
2. Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that crushed it. — Robin S. Sharma
3. Forgiveness does not mean I approve of or condone what transpired. — Sharon E. Rainey, The Best Part of My Day Healing Journal
4. What is there that forgiveness cannot achieve? — Vidura
5. We’re in charge of our own forgiveness, and the process takes time, patience, and intention. — Sharon Salzberg, Real Love: The Art of Mindful Connection
6. Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that crushed it. — Robin S. Sharma
7. New kinds of heroics need to be celebrated–like love, thoughtfulness, forgiveness, diplomacy–or we’re not going to get there. — Patty Jenkins
8. I forgive, but I also learn a lesson. I won’t hate you, but I’ll never get close enough for you to hurt me again. I can’t let my forgiveness become foolish. — Tony A. Gaskins Jr.
9. Mutual forgiveness of each vice. Such are the Gates of Paradise. — William Blake
10. Forgiveness is praised by the Christian and the Vaishnava, but for me, I ask, ‘What have I to forgive and whom? — Sri Aurobindo
11. To violate the law of love is to live in un–forgiveness — Sunday Adelaja
12. In order to create light you must first live in light. — Phoenix, Forgiveness: The Process of Creation that Replaces Darkness with Light
13. Forgiveness is the flower of love and kindness — it only grows in the bravest heart.
14. Forgiveness does not mean I approve of or condone what transpired. — Sharon E. Rainey, The Best Part of My Day Healing Journal
15. The glory of Christianity is to conquer by forgiveness. — William Blake
16. Friends hurt friends. They don’t mean to, but it happens. So friendship is made of forgiveness as much as it is love. — Toni Sorenson
17. Remember, forgiveness is not a millstone but a milestone! — Stephen Richards, The Pain You Feel Today Is The Strength You Feel Tomorrow
18. Look Back in forgiveness, forward in hope, down in compassion and up in gratitude. — Zig Ziglar
19. What power has love but forgiveness? — William Carlos Williams
20. I learned that forgiveness isn’t an instant thing — it must be done on a regular basis otherwise anger would keep piling up and affect our personal vibration negatively.
21. Today I offer a prayer of forgiveness: forgive the pettiness of my ingratitude… the absence of profound thankfulness. — Mary Anne Radmacher
22. Forgiveness in no way requires that you trust the one you forgive. — William Paul Young, The Shack
23. Ask your wife for forgiveness, even when you’re right. — Matshona Dhliwayo
24. Find your way with the certain and gentle light of forgiveness. — Mary Anne Radmacher
25. The essence of forgiveness is absorbing pain instead of giving it. — Timothy Keller
26. They lie, you know. It’s not easier to ask for forgiveness. Not even a little. — Michelle Hodkin, The Evolution of Mara Dyer
27. A broken friendship that is mended through forgiveness can be even stronger than it once was. — Stephen Richards, Forgiveness and Love Conquers All: Healing the Emotional Self
28. Asking for forgiveness is just one of the most painful kind of experiences. — Nick Nolte
29. Stop giving chances to someone who abuses your forgiveness. — Trent Shelton
30. Life is an adventure in forgiveness. — Norman Cousins
31. Forgiveness… a secret garden where Joy and miracles abound, and the garden is always open to everyone who makes the Loving choice to visit there. — Raymond D. Longoria Jr.
32. Forgiveness is not saying that the one who hurt you was right. Forgiveness is stating that God is faithful and he will do what is right. — Max Lucado
33. There’s no such thing as half family. — Sasha Martin, Life from Scratch: A Memoir of Food, Family, and Forgiveness
34. Forgiveness is remembering the truth of who you are. — Stephen Richards, Ask and the Universe Will Provide: A Straightforward Guide to Manifesting Your Dreams
35. Love is a Dance set on the stage of Forgiveness and Grace. — Todd Stocker, Refined: Turning Pain Into Purpose
36. Forgiveness has no deadline. — Paul R Bland
37. We need Grace and forgiveness. — Pope Benedict XVI
38. Love is a Dance set on the stage of Forgiveness and Grace. — Todd Stocker, Refined: Turning Pain Into Purpose
39. Love and forgiveness is not for the faint–hearted. — Meher Baba
40. God needs loving, accepting, and compassionate people–not accepting of sin, but accepting God’s forgiveness of sin for all who repent. — Teresa Schultz, The Bible In Poetry,
41. I wrap the potential for bitterness, resentment, martyrdom in the blanket of forgiveness and just set it down. Then it just melts in the warmth. And goes away. — Mary Anne Radmacher
42. Forgiveness is brave, sets us free from darkness, and allows light to shine the sweet fragrance of life into our souls — Paul Bradley Smith
43. What makes a Christian a Christian is not perfection but forgiveness. — Max Lucado
44. The forgiveness of the world can only be accomplished by the judgment of the world. — Ralph Washington Sockman
45. I wrap the potential for bitterness, resentment, martyrdom in the blanket of forgiveness and just set it down. Then it just melts in the warmth. And goes away. — Mary Anne Radmacher
46. One way you can trace your way back to real and true happiness and joy is through forgiveness. — Stephen Richards, The Pain You Feel Today Is The Strength You Feel Tomorrow
47. You cannot forgive just once, forgiveness is a daily practice. — Sonia Rumzi
48. ‘true forgiveness is when you can say, ”Thank you for that experience.’ — Oprah Winfrey
49. The easy truth is as much a lie as any. — Sasha Martin, Life from Scratch: A Memoir of Food, Family, and Forgiveness
50. I wrap the potential for bitterness, resentment, martyrdom in the blanket of forgiveness and just set it down. Then it just melts in the warmth. And goes away. — Mary Anne Radmacher
Conclusion
Forgiveness is a powerful tool for healing and growth. It can free us from our past and allow us to move forward in life. To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you. Remember, no matter what has happened, no matter what you’ve done or been through, you always have the power to forgive. We hope these quotes about forgiveness have inspired you to practice this powerful skill in your own life.