121 Quotes on the Power of Forgiveness (HEALING)

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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**

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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

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)

**Total Forgiveness: When Everything in You Wants to Hold a Grudge, Point a Finger, and Remember the Pain-God Wants You to Lay it All Aside**

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