Forgiving Others Quotes

Help us to forgive ourselves as we struggle in our process of forgiving others."

~R. Alan Woods [2013] ~ R. Alan Woods

When we forgive evil we do not excuse it, we do not tolerate it, we do not smother it. We look the evil full in the face, call it what it is, let its horror shock and stun and enrage us, and only then do we forgive it. ~ Lewis B. Smedes

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Jesus always seems to be pairing God's forgiveness of us with our forgiveness of others. But why? Growing up, I thought it was a way of guilting us into forgiving others, like Jesus was saying, Hey, I died for you and you can't even be nice to your little brother? As though God can get us to do the right thing if God can just make us feel bad about how much we owe God. But that is not the God I see in Jesus Christ. That is a manipulative mother. ~ Nadia Bolz-Weber

At that point, Noriko finally breaks down and begins to cry sobbing into her hands as the floodgates open - this young woman who has suffered in silence for so long, this good woman who refuse to believe she's good, for only the good doubt their own goodness, which is what makes them good in the first place. The bad know they are good, but the good know nothing. They spend their lives forgiving others, but they can't forgive themselves. ~ Paul Auster

Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are. Set the world right; Do what's best - As above, so below. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You're in charge! ~ Eugene H. Peterson

When we forgive, the slave we free is ourselves. ~ Edward M. Hallowell

People are fallible. People make mistakes. No one is impervious to mistakes. When we learn to be more forgiving of ourselves we will feel better about ourselves. We liberate ourselves from that internal conflict. This will lead to us also being more forgiving of others. We won't be deflecting what is going on inside of ourselves on to others. We can be more forgiving of others. ~ Akiroq Brost

There is a lot to look at when you are serious about transformation. You look at everything you've ever done, every circumstance you've ever been in, cleaning up everything in your past. Reconciling, forgiving others, forgiving yourself. It's a lot of work, actually. ~ Marianne Williamson

Some say it should come easy if it's real love but that's just not true. Love is never easy - love hurts sometimes. It causes insecurities and jealousies. Relationships take work - love takes work. And happiness requires forgiving others. I forgive you. ~ A.D. Justice

Forgiving ourselves for all the woulda-shoulda-couldas in life, and sometimes forgiving others for actions that we feel undercut or undermine our good, can be very challenging. But forgiveness of the past and mistakes, our own mistakes as well as the mistakes of others, is imperative if we are to dwell fully in the present and experience the miracles that are only available to the forgiving and loving mind. ~ Marianne Williamson

When we have opened ourselves to give forgiveness or to accept forgiveness we have opened ourselves to touch the Divine. ~ Genevieve Gerard

Hatred is exhausting. You must constantly remind yourself why you hate someone and waste needless energy to keep hating them.
Forgiveness; you only need to do it once! ~ Savania China

Because no one is perfect, we all desperately need forgiveness. By forgiving others you allow them to be human, and in doing so it makes you more aware of how human you really are. Think of all the people you've judged because of their behavior. Isn't it true that some of them behave in very similar ways to you? There isn't a person on the face of this earth who doesn't need grace. ~ Kevin Leman

Lord, You have extended such grace to me. You have forgiven my wickedness and remembered my sins no more. (Heb. 8:12) Help me to demonstrate my gratitude by forgiving others! ~ Beth Moore

Fear is the root cause of just about all physiological disorders. Know that when people hurt you or attack you, they are living in fear. ~ Sandra M. Michelle

Forgiveness before one's death, isn't just about asking and receiving it, it's also about forgiving others. ~ Neha Yazmin

Can you forgive her? Can you do that?
There was no response.
Because if you can start to forgive, then it will become easier.
And?
And then you will be able to forgive yourself - and ask others to forgive you. ~ Alexander McCall Smith

Forgiveness and restoration are two difference acts. Forgiveness can lead to restoration but restoration is not hinged to forgiveness. ~ Gary Rohrmayer

Forgiveness is kindness regardless. ~ Richelle E. Goodrich

The choice to follow love through to its completion is the choice to seek completion within ourselves. The point at which we shut down on others is the point at which we shut down on life. We heal as we heal others, and we heal others by extending our perceptions past their weaknesses. Until we have seen someone's darkness, we don't really know who that person is. Until we have forgiven someone's darkness, we don't really know what love is. Forgiving others is the only way to forgive ourselves, and forgiveness is our greatest need. ~ Marianne Williamson

forgiveness. It is not in denying the hopeless days that take place when others reject us or turn on us. It is not in minimizing the pain we experience at the hands of those who seem bent on ruining our lives. People turn on people. They betray one another. Crass unkindness, vicious plottings, horrible and intentional antagonisms are shown, and calling it a hopeless day hardly describes the extended season of struggle that many of us face at times. But there is a lesson at Calvary. Forgive everyone - anyone - whom you think has failed you, hurt you, offended you. If you think they've done anything to ruin your day, ruin your life, ruin your opportunities, ruin your dreams, or block your goals - forgive them. Forgiving others is the key to living in the liberty of the freeing forgiveness Jesus has given us, and it's the first step toward finding hope for a hopeless day, not to mention opening the door to new days unimagined. ~ Jack W. Hayford

...if a person remains in a state of unforgiveness the Spirit of the Lord will allow tormentors to enter him. That's what Christ told Peter when the disciple asked, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" (Matt. 18:21). ~ Benny Hinn

Most people focus on forgiving others, thinking there isn't a need for self-forgiveness, particularly if they see themselves as a victim. ~ Liane Holliday Willey

Forgiving others is easier when I remember that I'm human and stupid, too. ~ Justina Chen

Maybe we all need to forgive our mamas and papas for the things they did that hurt us or confused us ... I came to realize that I needed to forgive Mr. Daniels for the resentment I'd allowed myself to feel toward him. If he was my father, then maybe God wanted that word to mean something in my life. And maybe the first thing it meant was forgiveness. I realized that I could never altogether be the person God wanted me to be without it. I realized that lots of times wholeness as a person starts with forgiving others, and usually somebody close to you like a mother or father. ~ Michael R. Phillips

Forgiving others simply means that you refuse to be a prisoner of a past that you can't change, and shackled to decisions that you didn't make. ~ Craig D. Lounsbrough

The challenge of life is regretless decision making, relentless pursuit of vision with faith, forgiving others, enduring pain with a smile & achieving goals with an extra MILE ~ Sujit Lalwani

Unforgiveness binds, but forgiving others sets us free. It actually does us more good because our heart is not so cluttered with poisonous thoughts against others.
- The Making of Mrs. Hale ~ Carolyn Miller

When we understand our negative impulses and can see where they originated in ourselves, we can let go of them. When we do, self-esteem increases, and we are able to see ourselves more favorably.
Equally, empathy is the key to understanding and forgiving others. Through empathy we can comprehend their fears., their beliefs, and their needs. These will often be identical to our own. We can understand them even if we don't fully share their beliefs. We will know on a deep emotional level where they are coming from in their souls. To hate them is to hate ourselves; to love them is to love ourselves. The only sane course is to let go of hate. ~ Brian L. Weiss

It's toughest to forgive ourselves. So it's probably best to start with other people. It's almost like peeling an onion. Layer by layer, forgiving others, you really do get to the point where you can forgive yourself. ~ Patty Duke

Defeat anger, stop using it as a shield against truth, and you will find the compassion you need to forgive the people you love. ~ Glenn Beck

Oh! Almighty and Everlasting God, Creator of Heaven, Earth and the Universe: Help me to be, to think, to act what is right, because it is right; make me truthful, honest and honorable in all things; make me intellectually honest for the sake of right and honor and without thought of reward to me. Give me the ability to be charitable, forgiving and patient with my fellowmen - help me to understand their motives and their shortcomings - even as Thou understandest mine! Amen, Amen, Amen. Say ~ David McCullough

Courageous people do not fear forgiving, for the sake of peace. ~ Nelson Mandela

No one is perfect in this world. Forgive people for not knowing better and learn to move on. ~ Leon Brown

One would think that an unsuccessful volume was like a degree in the school of reviewing. One unread work makes the judge bitter enough; but a second failure, and he is quite desperate in his damnation. I do believe one half of the injustice - the severity of 'the ungentle craft' originates in its own want of success: they cannot forgive the popularity which has passed them over ... ~ Letitia Elizabeth Landon

What's really great about Buddhism is its rational, informal quality. Coming from my experience of growing up a Catholic, I found Buddhism to be refreshingly easygoing and forgiving. ~ Matt Dillon

Forgive me, Spirit of my spirit, for this, that I have found it easier to read the mystery told in tears and understood Thee better in sorrow than in joy. ~ George William Russell

Jesus wanted us to be loving and forgiving. I don't know what makes people so cruel. ~ Elton John

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. ~ Paul The Apostle

Do you fast? Then feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, visit the sick, do not forget the imprisoned, have pity on the tortured, comfort those who grieve and who weep, be merciful, humble, kind, calm, patient, sympathetic, forgiving, reverent, truthful and pious, so that God might accept your fasting and might plentifully grant you the fruits of repentance. ~ Saint John Chrysostom

We frail humans are at one time capable of the greatest good and, at the same time, capable of the greatest evil. Change will only come about when each of us takes up the daily struggle ourselves to be more forgiving, compassionate, loving, and above all joyful in the knowledge that, by some miracle of grace, we can change as those around us can change too. ~ Mairead Corrigan

Not forgiving someone is like not pulling a thorn out of your foot just because you weren't the one to put it there. ~ Mercedes Lackey

A PERSON WHO CANNOT FORGIVE HAS FORGOTTEN HOW GREAT A DEBT GOD HAS FORGIVEN THEM. ~ John Bevere

Forgive me for allowing myself to be hurt by you so easily. ~ Ashleigh Brilliant

Dogs are loyal, patient, fearless, forgiving, and capable of pure love. Virtues that few people get through life without abandoning, at least once. ~ M.K. Clinton

I'ma forgive all the people that took my kindness as weakness. I'ma forgive anyone who never hit me back. I'ma forgive all ya'll. I won't forget. ~ Behdad Sami

None of us wants to admit that we hate someone ... When we deny our hate we detour around the crisis of forgiveness. We suppress our spite, make adjustments, and make believe we are too good to be hateful. But the truth is that we do not dare to risk admitting the hate we feel because we do not dare to risk forgiving the person we hate. ~ Lewis B. Smedes

What is blackness? Is it the way you talk? Do you got to say, 'Dey this, dey dat.' Or the way you dress? Or is it the forgiving of certain things? What is black enough? ~ Douglas Wilder

Men are more compassionate/(nobler)/magnanimous/generous than God; for men forgive their dead, but God does not. ~ Mark Twain

Stick to the key of C, dude. No sharps or flats. More forgiving. ~ Jeff Zentner

In family matters you can get over anything. That's one thing you'll learn as an adult. There's a lot you have to learn which is a lot worse than that. You'd never think of forgiving a friend for some of the things your parents did to you. But with friends it's different. Friends aren't the roll of the dice. ~ Pat Conroy

Inner Forgiveness is therapeutic. If you do not Forgive you cannot be Internally Healed. Forgiving heals the Soul. ~ Choa Kok Sui

I also enjoyed praying at night for forgiveness, secure in the knowledge I'd not really done anything in need of forgiving. ~ Melanie Benjamin

I never forgive attacks on my work. ~ Sylvia Ashton-Warner

It seems to me, that if people only knew how hard it was for me to endure life, they would find it easier to forgive me for all the wrong things I've done and all the good things that I have failed to do. And they would still find a little compassion within them to pity me. ~ Ivo Andric

Is there in the whole world a being who would have the right to forgive and could forgive? ~ Fyodor Dostoevsky

Little vicious minds abound with anger and revenge and are incapable of feeling te pleasure of forgiving their enemies. ~ Lord Chesterfield

What's your dad doing for his bachelor party?"
I laugh. "Have you met my dad? He's the last person who would ever have a bachelor party. He doesn't even have any guy friends to have a party with!" I stop and consider this. "Well, I guess Josh is the closest thing he has. We haven't seen much of him since he went to school, but he and my dad still e-mail every so often."
"I don't get what your family sees in that guy," Peter says sourly. "What's so great about him?"
It's a touchy subject. Peter's paranoid my dad likes Josh better than him, and I try to tell him it's not a contest--which it definitely isn't. Daddy's known Josh since he was a kid. They trade comic books, for Pete's sake. So, no contest. Obviously my dad likes Josh better. But only because he knows him better. And only because they're more alike: Neither of them is cool. And Peter's definitely cool. My dad is bewildered by cool.
"Josh loves my dad's cooking."
"So do I!"
"They have the same taste in movies."
Peter throws in, "And Josh was never in a hot tub video with one of his daughters."
"Oh my God, let it go already! My dad's forgotten about that." "Forgotten" might be too strong of a word. Maybe more like he's never brought it up again and he hopefully never will.
"I find that hard to believe."
"Well, believe it. My dad is a very forgiving, very forgetful man. ~ Jenny Han

I found a hollow in an old, forgiving tree, curled up within it, and hoarded my thoughts like acorns. ~ Sarah Diemer

Children have taught me to always be forgiving. ~ Michael Jackson

What is it? something you live and breathe in like air? a kind of vacuum filled with wraithlike and indomitable anger and pride and glory at and in happenings that occurred and ceased fifty years ago? a kind of entailed birthright father and son and father and son of never forgiving General Sherman, so that forevermore as long as your childrens' children produce children you wont be anything but a descendant of a long line of colonels killed in Pickett's charge at Manassas? 'Gettysburg,' Quentin said. 'You cant understand it. You would have to be born there. ~ William Faulkner

My political enemies I can freely forgive; but as for who abused me when I was serving my country in the field, and those who attacked me for serving my country
Doctor, that is a different case. ~ Andrew Jackson

Take then this Book, look into it, and show me when Jesus was not forgiving. Read this diving tragedy and tell me where He speaks without mercy and compassion. You visit not the sick and the imprisoned; nor do you feed the hungry or give refuge to the stranger or comfort to the mourner. ~ Khalil Gibran

Never stop forgiving. ~ Johnny Hunt

Lord Jesus, I need you. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Thank you for rising from the dead. I believe you are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I believe you are the only way to heaven, the only way to the Father. And right now, as an act of the will, by faith, I open the door of my life and receive you as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for forgiving my sins. Thank you for giving me eternal life. Have mercy on me, Lord. Show me your will. Teach me your Word. Guide me by your Holy Spirit. Take the throne of my life, Lord Jesus, and make me the kind of person you want me to be. In your holy and precious Name I pray, amen. ~ Joel C. Rosenberg

Christmas time - an Enlightened Teacher came into the world, taught, and died. His message was simple: Forgive. While the human beings of this planet have still not absorbed this simple Truth, it remains the Truth. ~ Frederick Lenz

Don't be afraid to ask God for forgiveness. He never tires of forgiving us. God is pure mercy. ~ Pope Francis

Yet I believe, as I say, that it was precisely this underhand act that gave birth to her vitriol, for people are at their least forgiving when they themselves have been underhand, as though they would exact their innocence from you at any price. ~ Rachel Cusk

Passions are no more forgiving than human laws and they reason more justly. Are they not based on a conscience of their own, infallible as an instinct? ~ Honore De Balzac

To forgive the incessant provocations of daily life - to keep on forgiving the bossy mother-in-law, the bullying husband, the nagging wife, the selfish daughter, the deceitful son - how can we do it? Only, I think, by remembering where we stand, by meaning our words when we say in our prayers each night, "Forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." We are offered forgiveness on no other terms. To refuse it is to refuse God's mercy for ourselves. There is no hint of exceptions and God means what he says. ~ C.S. Lewis

When I was being forgiving, I said that my mother was simply exhausted. I suspected, though, she was simply mean. ~ Sue Monk Kidd

What is perfection in love? Love your enemies in such a way that you would desire to make them your brothers ... For so did He love, Who hanging on the Cross, said "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34) ~ Saint Augustine

I'm as forgiving as the wall you hit at two hundred kilometers an hour. ~ Ann Aguirre

Be confident. Be successful. Be
beautiful. Be intelligent. Be hard working. Be carefree. Be modest.
Be driven. Be forgiving. Be creative. Be relaxed. Be motivated. Be
educated. Be thoughtful. Be kind. Be determined. Be good. Just be
you! ~ Russell Strand

No prayers can be heard which do not come from a forgiving heart. ~ J.C. Ryle

In all cultures, it is the task of a religion to close the field of contingency ... and to set up havens of the absolute where it is possible to be led from acting to listening, from having to being, from planning to hoping, from judging to forgiving from the finite into the infinite. A society in which such open spaces of eternity do not exist or are only insufficiently developed dies of itself due to lack of air to breathe. ~ Eugen Drewermann

Forgive: if you never know forgiveness,
You'll never know the blessings that God gives. ~ Rumi

I love you and I forgive you. I am like you and you are like me. I love all people. I love the world. I love creating. Everything in our life should be based on love. ~ Ray Bradbury

They who forgive most shall be most forgiven. ~ Anonymous