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.