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121 Quotes on the Power of Forgiveness (HEALING)

Top 39 Inspirational Forgiveness Quotes (THE GIFT OF FORGIVENESS)

“Forgiveness is not a feeling; it is a commitment. It is a choice to show mercy, not to hold the offence up against the offender. Forgiveness is an expression of love.”

Gary Chapman
I think the first step is to understand that forgiveness does not exonerate the perpetrator. Forgiveness liberates the victim. It’s a gift you give yourself. - T.D. Jakes
I think the first step is to understand that forgiveness does not exonerate the perpetrator. Forgiveness liberates the victim. It’s a gift you give yourself. – T.D. Jakes
The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. - Mahatma Gandhi
The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. – Mahatma Gandhi
It takes a strong person to say sorry, and an even stronger person to forgive.
It takes a strong person to say sorry, and an even stronger person to forgive.
Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future. - Paul Boose
Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future. – Paul Boose
We ask for forgiveness. And we forgive others who ask us. In that way we can experience healing, healing in our souls. - Ed Dobsons
We ask for forgiveness. And we forgive others who ask us. In that way we can experience healing, healing in our souls. – Ed Dobsons
Forgiveness is not something we do for other people. It’s something we do for ourselves to move on.
Forgiveness is not something we do for other people. It’s something we do for ourselves to move on.
You’ll never know how strong your heart is until you learn to forgive who broke it.
You’ll never know how strong your heart is until you learn to forgive who broke it.
Forgiveness is the best revenge. - Imam Ali
Forgiveness is the best revenge. – Imam Ali
Forgive others as quickly as you expect God to forgive you.
Forgive others as quickly as you expect God to forgive you.
One of the most courageous decisions you’ll ever make is to finally let go of what is hurting your heart and soul.
One of the most courageous decisions you’ll ever make is to finally let go of what is hurting your heart and soul.
A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers. - Robert Quillen
A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers. – Robert Quillen
When you choose to forgive those who have hurt you, you take away their power.
When you choose to forgive those who have hurt you, you take away their power.
Hating someone makes them important. Forgiving them makes them obsolete.
Hating someone makes them important. Forgiving them makes them obsolete.
Throughout life people will make you mad, disrespect you and treat you bad. Let God deal with the things they do, cause hate in your heart will consume you too. - Will Smith
Throughout life people will make you mad, disrespect you and treat you bad. Let God deal with the things they do, cause hate in your heart will consume you too. – Will Smith
Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea, until they have something to forgive. - C.S. Lewis
Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea, until they have something to forgive. – C.S. Lewis
Forgiveness is not about forgetting. It is about letting go of another person's throat. - William Paul Young
Forgiveness is not about forgetting. It is about letting go of another person’s throat. – William Paul Young
To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you. - C.S. Lewis
To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you. – C.S. Lewis
Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. You have to let go at some point in order to move forward. - C.S. Lewis
Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. You have to let go at some point in order to move forward. – C.S. Lewis
To be wronged is nothing, unless you continue to remember it. - Confucius
To be wronged is nothing, unless you continue to remember it. – Confucius
Certainly people make mistakes in their life. I’m no different, I’ve made mistakes. When people mess up, forgive them. When I mess up, I ask for forgiveness. - Michele Bachmann
Certainly people make mistakes in their life. I’m no different, I’ve made mistakes. When people mess up, forgive them. When I mess up, I ask for forgiveness. – Michele Bachmann
The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naive forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget. - Thomas Szasz
The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naive forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget. – Thomas Szasz
There is no peace without forgiveness. - Marianne Williamson
There is no peace without forgiveness. – Marianne Williamson
A broken friendship that is mended through forgiveness can be even stronger than it once was. - Stephen Richards
A broken friendship that is mended through forgiveness can be even stronger than it once was. – Stephen Richards
When you forgive, you heal. When you let go, you grow.
Holding a grudge doesn’t make you strong; it makes you bitter. Forgiving doesn’t make you weak; it sets you free.
Holding a grudge doesn’t make you strong; it makes you bitter. Forgiving doesn’t make you weak; it sets you free.
There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love. - Bryant H. McGill
There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love. – Bryant H. McGill
Be the one who nurtures and builds. Be the one who has an understanding and a forgiving heart one who looks for the best in people. Leave people better than you found them. - Marvin J. Ashton
Be the one who nurtures and builds. Be the one who has an understanding and a forgiving heart one who looks for the best in people. Leave people better than you found them. – Marvin J. Ashton
Forgiveness is a reflection of loving yourself enough to move on. - Dr. Steve Maraboli
Forgiveness is a reflection of loving yourself enough to move on. – Dr. Steve Maraboli
There is nobility in compassion, a beauty in empathy, a grace in forgiveness. - John Connolly
There is nobility in compassion, a beauty in empathy, a grace in forgiveness. – John Connolly
Sometimes what a person needs most is to be forgiven. - Jennifer McMahon
Sometimes what a person needs most is to be forgiven. – Jennifer McMahon
The man who forgives is far stronger than the man who fights. - Nathan Craoll
The man who forgives is far stronger than the man who fights. – Nathan Craoll
Until we have seen someone’s darkness, we don’t really know who they are. Until we have forgiven someone’s darkness , we don’t really know what love is.
Until we have seen someone’s darkness, we don’t really know who they are. Until we have forgiven someone’s darkness , we don’t really know what love is.
I can have peace of mind only when I forgive rather than judge. - Gerald Jampolsky
I can have peace of mind only when I forgive rather than judge. – Gerald Jampolsky
I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice. - Abraham Lincoln
I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice. – Abraham Lincoln
Mistakes are always forgivable, if one has the courage to admit them. - Bruce Lee
Mistakes are always forgivable, if one has the courage to admit them. – Bruce Lee
Forgiveness is giving up the hope that the past could have been any different. - Oprah Winfrey
Forgiveness is giving up the hope that the past could have been any different. – Oprah Winfrey
Forgive because none of us are perfect.
Forgive because none of us are perfect.
Forgiving doesn’t mean forgetting, it means choosing to remember love instead. - Klyle Gray
Forgiving doesn’t mean forgetting, it means choosing to remember love instead. – Klyle Gray

70 Quotes About The Healing Power of Forgiveness (LOVE)

When you forgive, you in no way change the past—but you sure do change the future. - Bernard Meltzer
When you forgive, you in no way change the past—but you sure do change the future. – Bernard Meltzer
In love, everyone does things that hurt the other person, so there is really no ‘Right’ and ‘Wrong’. You just have to decide what you’re willing to forgive. - Yvonne Wood
In love, everyone does things that hurt the other person, so there is really no ‘Right’ and ‘Wrong’. You just have to decide what you’re willing to forgive. – Yvonne Wood
Forgiving what we cannot forgive creates a new way to remember. We change the memory of our past into a hope for our future. - Lewis Smedes
Forgiving what we cannot forgive creates a new way to remember. We change the memory of our past into a hope for our future. – Lewis Smedes
Forgiveness is not an occasional act, it is a constant attitude. - Martin Luther King. Jr.
Forgiveness is not an occasional act, it is a constant attitude. – Martin Luther King. Jr.
Let no man pull you low enough to hate him. - Martin Luther King Jr.
Let no man pull you low enough to hate him. – Martin Luther King Jr.
Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names. - John F. Kennedy
Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names. – John F. Kennedy
Without forgiveness, there’s no future. - Desmond Tutu
Without forgiveness, there’s no future. – Desmond Tutu
Forgiveness says you are given another chance to make a new beginning. - Desmond Tutu
Forgiveness says you are given another chance to make a new beginning. – Desmond Tutu
To forgive is wisdom, to forget is genius. Because it’s true. It’s a new world every heartbeat. - Joyce Cary
To forgive is wisdom, to forget is genius. Because it’s true. It’s a new world every heartbeat. – Joyce Cary
The first to apologize is the bravest. The first to forgive is the strongest. And the first to forget is the happiest.
The first to apologize is the bravest. The first to forgive is the strongest. And the first to forget is the happiest.
Forgiveness is a choice, but it is not an option. - Joel Osteen
Forgiveness is a choice, but it is not an option. – Joel Osteen
If we really want to love we must learn how to forgive. - Mother Theresa
If we really want to love we must learn how to forgive. – Mother Theresa
To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness. - Robert Muller
To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness. – Robert Muller
Always forgive your enemies – nothing annoys them so much. - Oscar Wilde
Always forgive your enemies – nothing annoys them so much. – Oscar Wilde
As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison. - Nelson Mandela
As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison. – Nelson Mandela
Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies. - Nelson Mandela
Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies. – Nelson Mandela
Hate. It has caused a lot of problems in this world, but it has not solved one yet. - Maya Angelou
Hate. It has caused a lot of problems in this world, but it has not solved one yet. – Maya Angelou
He that cannot forgive others, breaks the bridge over which he must pass himself; for every man has need to be forgiven. - Lord Herbert
He that cannot forgive others, breaks the bridge over which he must pass himself; for every man has need to be forgiven. – Lord Herbert
To forgive is to set a prisoner free, and realize the prisoner was you.
To forgive is to set a prisoner free, and realize the prisoner was you.
The act of forgiveness takes place in our own mind. It really has nothing to do with the other person. - Louise Hay
The act of forgiveness takes place in our own mind. It really has nothing to do with the other person. – Louise Hay
Always pray to have eyes that see the best in people, a heart that forgives the worst, a mind that forgets the bad, and a soul that never loses faith in God.
Always pray to have eyes that see the best in people, a heart that forgives the worst, a mind that forgets the bad, and a soul that never loses faith in God.
Forgiveness is the best form of love. It takes a strong person to say sorry and an even stronger person to forgive.
Forgiveness is the best form of love. It takes a strong person to say sorry and an even stronger person to forgive.
Forgiveness is the economy of the heart... forgiveness saves the expense of anger, the cost of hatred, the waste of spirits. - Hannah More
Forgiveness is the economy of the heart… forgiveness saves the expense of anger, the cost of hatred, the waste of spirits. – Hannah More
Forgiveness isn’t approving what happened. It’s choosing to rise above it. - Robin Sharma
Forgiveness isn’t approving what happened. It’s choosing to rise above it. – Robin Sharma
It is only imperfection that complains of what is imperfect. The more perfect we are, the more gentle and quiet we become towards the defects of others. - Joseph Addison
It is only imperfection that complains of what is imperfect. The more perfect we are, the more gentle and quiet we become towards the defects of others. – Joseph Addison
Anger makes you smaller, while forgiveness forces you to grow beyond what you were. - Cherie Carter-scott
Anger makes you smaller, while forgiveness forces you to grow beyond what you were. – Cherie Carter-scott
True forgiveness is when you can say, ‘Thank you for that experience.’ - Oprah Winfrey
True forgiveness is when you can say, ‘Thank you for that experience.’ – Oprah Winfrey
Grudges are for those who insist that they are owed something; forgiveness, however, is for those who are substantial enough to move on. - Criss Jami
Grudges are for those who insist that they are owed something; forgiveness, however, is for those who are substantial enough to move on. – Criss Jami
Most of us can forgive and forget; we just don't want the other person to forget that we forgave. - Ivern Ball
Most of us can forgive and forget; we just don’t want the other person to forget that we forgave. – Ivern Ball
Listen. Slide the weight from your shoulders and move forward. You are afraid that you might forget, but you never will. You will forgive and remember. - Barbara Kingsolver
Listen. Slide the weight from your shoulders and move forward. You are afraid that you might forget, but you never will. You will forgive and remember. – Barbara Kingsolver
The true mark of maturity is when somebody hurts you and you try to understand their situation instead of trying to hurt them back.
The true mark of maturity is when somebody hurts you and you try to understand their situation instead of trying to hurt them back.
Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart. - Corrie Ten Boom
Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart. – Corrie Ten Boom
Not forgiving is like drinking rat poison and then waiting for the rat to die. - Anne Lamott
Not forgiving is like drinking rat poison and then waiting for the rat to die. – Anne Lamott
Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself. - Tony Robbins
Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself. – Tony Robbins
We read that we ought to forgive our enemies; but we do not read that we ought to forgive our friends. - Sir. Francis Bacon
We read that we ought to forgive our enemies; but we do not read that we ought to forgive our friends. – Sir. Francis Bacon
Forgive others, not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve peace. - Jonathan Huie
Forgive others, not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve peace. – Jonathan Huie
Before we can forgive one another, we have to understand one another. - Emma Goldman
Before we can forgive one another, we have to understand one another. – Emma Goldman
It’s not an easy journey, to get to a place where you forgive people. But it is such a powerful place, because it frees you. - Tyler Perry
It’s not an easy journey, to get to a place where you forgive people. But it is such a powerful place, because it frees you. – Tyler Perry
Without forgiveness life is governed by an endless cycle of resentment and retaliation. - Roberto Assagioli
Without forgiveness life is governed by an endless cycle of resentment and retaliation. – Roberto Assagioli
Let us forgive each other – only then will we live in peace. - Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy
Let us forgive each other – only then will we live in peace. – Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy
Forgiveness is the final form of love. - Reinhold Niebuhr
Forgiveness is the final form of love. – Reinhold Niebuhr
People can be more forgiving than you can imagine. But you have to forgive yourself. Let go of what's bitter and move on. - Bill Cosby
People can be more forgiving than you can imagine. But you have to forgive yourself. Let go of what’s bitter and move on. – Bill Cosby
There is nothing more classy or powerful than showing forgiveness and grace to someone who does not deserve it.
There is nothing more classy or powerful than showing forgiveness and grace to someone who does not deserve it.
Forgiveness is a funny thing. It warms the heart and cools the sting. - William Arthur Ward
Forgiveness is a funny thing. It warms the heart and cools the sting. – William Arthur Ward
In the blink of an eye, everything can change. So forgive often and love with all your heart. You may never have that chance again.
In the blink of an eye, everything can change. So forgive often and love with all your heart. You may never have that chance again.
We win by tenderness. We conquer by forgiveness. - Frederick William Robertson
We win by tenderness. We conquer by forgiveness. – Frederick William Robertson
How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours. - Wayne Dyer
How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours. – Wayne Dyer
Everybody makes mistakes. If you can’t forgive others, don’t expect others to forgive you.
Everybody makes mistakes. If you can’t forgive others, don’t expect others to forgive you.
When a deep injury is done to us, we never heal until we forgive. - Nelson Mandela
When a deep injury is done to us, we never heal until we forgive. – Nelson Mandela
Forgiveness liberates the soul. It removes fear. That is why it is such a powerful weapon. - Nelson Mandela
Forgiveness liberates the soul. It removes fear. That is why it is such a powerful weapon. – Nelson Mandela
Forgive, forget. Bear with the faults of others as you would have them bear with yours. - Phillips Brooks
Forgive, forget. Bear with the faults of others as you would have them bear with yours. – Phillips Brooks
When someone does something wrong, don’t forget all the things they did right.
When someone does something wrong, don’t forget all the things they did right.
I wish for you the wisdom to realize that forgiveness has nothing to do with an apology. - Steve Maraboli
I wish for you the wisdom to realize that forgiveness has nothing to do with an apology. – Steve Maraboli
Remember, when you forgive, you heal. And when you let go, you grow.
Remember, when you forgive, you heal. And when you let go, you grow.
Sometimes the first step to forgiveness is understanding the other person is a complete idiot.
Sometimes the first step to forgiveness is understanding the other person is a complete idiot.
Arguments drag out because one is too stubborn to forgive and the other is too proud to apologize.
Arguments drag out because one is too stubborn to forgive and the other is too proud to apologize.
Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it. - Mark Twain
Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it. – Mark Twain
How unhappy is he who cannot forgive himself. - Publilius Syrus
How unhappy is he who cannot forgive himself. – Publilius Syrus
Forgive yourself and welcome love back into your life. - Wayne Dyer
Forgive yourself and welcome love back into your life. – Wayne Dyer
Forgiveness is making a conscious decision to live in the present… even if the past still hurts.
Forgiveness is making a conscious decision to live in the present… even if the past still hurts.
Forgiving you is my gift to you. Moving on is my gift to myself
Forgiving you is my gift to you. Moving on is my gift to myself
I’m not perfect. Remember that, and try to forgive me when I fail you. - Elizebeth Lowell
I’m not perfect. Remember that, and try to forgive me when I fail you. – Elizebeth Lowell
When one forgives, two souls are set free.
When one forgives, two souls are set free.
True forgiveness is not an action after the fact, it is an attitude with which you enter each moment. - David Ridge
True forgiveness is not an action after the fact, it is an attitude with which you enter each moment. – David Ridge
To understand somebody else as a human being, I think, is about as close to real forgiveness as one can get. - David Small
To understand somebody else as a human being, I think, is about as close to real forgiveness as one can get. – David Small
Never forget the nine most important words of any family — I love you. You are beautiful. Please forgive me. - H. Jackson Brown. Jr.
Never forget the nine most important words of any family — I love you. You are beautiful. Please forgive me. – H. Jackson Brown. Jr.
Forgiveness is a process. A choice you make over and over, every day, until you’re free of hurt.
Forgiveness is a process. A choice you make over and over, every day, until you’re free of hurt.
Forgiveness is like faith. You have to keep reviving it. - Mason Cooley
Forgiveness is like faith. You have to keep reviving it. – Mason Cooley
Forgiveness is the key to action and freedom. - Hannah Arendt
Forgiveness is the key to action and freedom. – Hannah Arendt
The practice of forgiveness is our most important contribution to the healing of the world. - Marianne Williamson
The practice of forgiveness is our most important contribution to the healing of the world. – Marianne Williamson

12 Empowering Quotes to Inspire Forgiveness (THE ART OF SELF-FORGIVENESS)

It is easier to forgive an enemy than a friend. - William Blake
It is easier to forgive an enemy than a friend. – William Blake
If you cannot forgive and forget, pick one. - Robert Brault
If you cannot forgive and forget, pick one. – Robert Brault
Forgiveness is a sign that the person who has wronged you means more to you than the wrong they have dealt. - Ben Greenhalgh
Forgiveness is a sign that the person who has wronged you means more to you than the wrong they have dealt. – Ben Greenhalgh
Once a woman has forgiven her man, she must not reheat his sins for breakfast. - Marlene Dietrich
Once a woman has forgiven her man, she must not reheat his sins for breakfast. – Marlene Dietrich
I don’t think people understand that you can forgive a person and not allow them back into your life. That is possible, very possible. - Alex Elle
I don’t think people understand that you can forgive a person and not allow them back into your life. That is possible, very possible. – Alex Elle
Forgiving you means I no longer dwell on what an a**hole you are. It doesn’t mean you are no longer an a**hole.
Forgiving you means I no longer dwell on what an a**hole you are. It doesn’t mean you are no longer an a**hole.
More people should apologize, and more people should accept apologies when sincerely made. - Greg Lemond
More people should apologize, and more people should accept apologies when sincerely made. – Greg Lemond
Forgiving them isn’t the hard part, it’s trying to trust them again.
Forgiving them isn’t the hard part, it’s trying to trust them again.
Forgiveness keeps you from being bound by something the other person might never set right. - Tony Evans
Forgiveness keeps you from being bound by something the other person might never set right. – Tony Evans
What is forgiven is usually well remembered. - Louis Dudek
What is forgiven is usually well remembered. – Louis Dudek
Forgiveness is just another name for freedom.
Forgiveness is just another name for freedom.
Relationships don’t thrive because the guilty are punished, but because the wounded are merciful. - Max Lucado
Relationships don’t thrive because the guilty are punished, but because the wounded are merciful. – Max Lucado

Forgiveness is not always easy. At times it feels more painful than the wound we suffered, to forgive the one that inflicted it. And yet, there is no peace without forgiveness.”

Marianne Williamson
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Conclusion: What is Forgiveness? And the Importance of It

Forgiveness does not mean you condone wrongdoings. It doesn’t mean you forget about it either.

Reaching a place of true forgiveness is NOT about you deciding what someone did/said is okay when it is not.

In its simplest form, forgiveness simply means moving on with life by letting go of the past that is holding you back.

We live in a world where negativities are inevitable. No government, no family, no partner is absolute. As long as we are born human, each of us is flawed.

Perfection is commonly displayed in non-fiction novels or in the movies (perfect partner, perfect business, perfect timing, perfect friends), but utter perfection doesn’t exist in the real world.

Negative life events can no doubt have a detrimental impact on our emotional and physical health. That is why it is imperative that we learn to forgive

Forgiveness is NOT about them; it is about us.

Or let me put it this way: We do NOT forgive for the other person; we forgive for ourselves!

We grow and become happier when we do not bear grudges or by holding onto resentment, anger, and pain. Doing so will only result in indefinite self-harm (which harms us more than it harms the offender).

Here are some of the best quotes about forgiveness so you can be inspired to let go of the past and move forward fearlessly.

(MUST READ)

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