There are forgiveness quotes that will challenge you to be merciful. You can use them to enhance your life and bless those around you.
It is a wonderful thing to both give and receive forgiveness. It is also a necessary ingredient for us to live a life full of power and grace. Grace in the sense that the measure of forgiveness we extend to others will be extended back to us. This is God’s recipe for forgiveness. Because of this, we must learn how to both give and receive this treasure.
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. – Matthew 6:14
Forgiveness is not only important in human terms, but it is also a significant part of the teachings of God. It was the key ingredient in the Gospel, as Jesus taught over and over to forgive one another.
This Scripture found in Matthew 6:14 emphasizes the importance of forgiveness not only for others but also for our own well-being. When we forgive others, this blessing overflows in our lives.
In this blog, I have compiled 50 quotes from popular authors, philosophers, and public figures. I hope that they will bless your life and that you will share them with others.
Here are 50 forgiveness quotes from various authors, philosophers, and public figures
1. "Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it." - Mark Twain
Mark Twain
2. "The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong."
- Mahatma Gandhi
If you have ever wrestled with unforgiveness, you will understand this sentiment well. It is incredibly difficult to forgive, especially those closest to us. Yet, not only is it a Godly requirement, but forgiveness also frees us from the pain of the past we cannot change. Forgiving ourselves is often even harder. It takes divine understanding to release ourselves from our mistakes, acknowledging that we, too, are imperfect. Let the act of forgiveness begin at home, and then extend it to those around you. May God grant you the grace to forgive.
3. "To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you."
- Lewis B. Smedes
One of the key lessons of forgiveness is that you are the one who benefits from it the most. When you’ve experienced the trauma and pain that come with unforgiveness, you realize it is better to forgive than to hold on to a grudge. An unforgiving heart only imprisons you.
4. "Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future."
- Paul Boese
One of the important lessons you must learn is that forgiveness is essential for moving forward. While it cannot change the past, it opens the door to a future filled with hope. May these forgiveness quotes inspire you to forgive, and may you become a gracious forgiver.
5. "Forgiveness is the final form of love."
- Reinhold Niebuhr
6. "Forgive others, not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve peace."
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie
7. "The practice of forgiveness is our most important contribution to the healing of the world."
- Marianne Williamson
8. Forgiveness is the key to action and freedom
– Hannah Arendt
9. "Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a constant attitude."
- Martin Luther King Jr.
10. "Forgive yourself for your faults and your mistakes and move on."
- Les Brown
11. "Forgiveness is the Christlike suffering which it is the Christian’s duty to bear."
– Dietrich Bonhoeffer
12. To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you."
— C.S. Lewis
13. "To understand is to forgive, even oneself."
- Alexander Chase
14. "Forgive, as you hope to be forgiven."
– Charles Spurgeon
15. "Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart."
– Corrie Ten Boom
16. "Forgiveness is not something we do for other people. It's something we do for ourselves."
- Unknown
17. "Forgive those who have hurt you."
- Les Brown
18. "Forgiveness is a reflection of loving yourself enough to move on."
- Steve Maraboli
19. "Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself
– Tony Robbins
20. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
— Ephesians 4:32
21. "Forgiveness is a virtue of the brave."
- Indira Gandhi
22. "Forgiveness is the healing of wounds caused by another. You choose to let go of a past wrong and no longer be hurt by it."
- Brian Tracy
23. He who cannot forgive breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass."
— George Herbert
24. "The first to apologize is the bravest. The first to forgive is the strongest. The first to forget is the happiest."
- Unknown
25. "When you forgive, you in no way change the past—but you sure do change the future."
- Bernard Meltzer
26. "The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness."
- Honore de Balzac
27. "To err is human, to forgive, divine."
- Alexander Pope
28. "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
29. "Forgiveness is not about forgetting. It is about letting go of another person's throat."
- W. Paul Young
30. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."
— Luke 6:37
31. God's forgiveness is the door to the restoration of our relationship with Him, and our forgiveness of others is the door to healing our relationships with them.
- Unknown
32. "The glory of Christianity is to conquer by forgiveness."
- William Blake
33. Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hatred."
— Corrie Ten Boom
34. "Without forgiveness, there's no future."
- Desmond Tutu
35. "Forgiveness is God’s command."
— Martin Luther
36. "Forgiveness is not something we do for other people. It's something we do for ourselves."
- Unknown
37. God has a way of taking what is broken and turning it into something beautiful if we’ll just give Him all the pieces."
— Unknown
38."We must not measure our forgiveness by the wrong done, but by the mercy that is in God."
- John Wesley
39. "Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself."
- Tony Robbins
40. "If we really want to love, we must learn how to forgive."
— Mother Teresa
41. "Forgiveness is a virtue of the brave."
- Indira Gandhi
42. Forgiveness is the healing of wounds caused by another. You choose to let go of a past wrong and no longer be hurt by it.
Brian Tracy
43. Forgiveness liberates the soul. It removes fear. That is why it is such a powerful weapon."
— Nelson Mandela
44. "The first to apologize is the bravest. The first to forgive is the strongest. The first to forget is the happiest."
- Unknown
45. "When you forgive, you in no way change the past—but you sure do change the future."
- Bernard Meltzer
46. "God’s mercy is greater than your mistakes."
— Unknown
47. "Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea until they have something to forgive."
– C.S. Lewis
48. "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
49. "Forgiveness is not about forgetting. It is about letting go of another person's throat."
- W. Paul Young
50. Forgive others as quickly as you expect God to forgive you."
— Unknown
These forgiveness quotes highlight the vital role of forgiveness in fostering personal growth, healing, and peace. Forgiveness is essential for progress, and we must make every effort to forgive in all circumstances. By doing so, we not only free ourselves but also unlock the potential to rise above past hurts. May God bless you as you embrace the power of forgiveness!