50 Forgiveness Quotes To Encourage You To Let Go

When was the last time you forgave someone?

Until not so long ago, it was hard for me to forgive when someone truly and deeply hurt me. I found it difficult to put myself in the other person’s shoes and admit that everyone can make a mistake – it’s part of human nature.

However, upon reflection, I think the hardest things to forgive were those I would never commit. It’s easy to think, “I would never do this, so why would someone ever do this to me?”. Yet, it’s important to remind ourselves that people are different, which is why it’s dangerous to judge others based on our own unique experiences.

Nowadays, I’ve learned to be more accepting and easygoing, especially if the person realizes their own mistake and asks for forgiveness.

The ability to forgive is a high virtue, so don’t be afraid to give it to others. My experience shows that it makes you feel lighter, and often forgiveness has a way of healing our own wounds.

Here are some of my favorite quotes on forgiveness and love. Please have a read-through and try to reflect on them – how do they translate into your own life?

I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

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Quotes On Forgiveness

1. “Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.”-Paul Boose

2. “The act of forgiveness takes place in our own mind. It really has nothing to do with the other person.”-Louise Hay

3. “Always forgive your enemies – nothing annoys them so much.”-Oscar Wilde

4. “We read that we ought to forgive our enemies, but we do not read that we ought to forgive our friends.”-Sir. Francis Bacon

5. “Most of us can forgive and forget; we just don’t want the other person to forget that we forgave.”-Ivern Ball

6. “To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness.”-Robert Muller

7. “Not forgiving is like drinking rat poison and then waiting for the rat to die.”-Anne Lamott

8. “Before we can forgive one another, we have to understand one another.”-Emma Goldman

9. “Let us forgive each other – only then will we live in peace.”-Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy

10. “True forgiveness is when you can say, “Thank you for that experience.”-Oprah Winfrey

11. “A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers.”-Robert Quillen

12. “Forgiveness isn’t approving what happened. It’s choosing to rise above it.”-Robin Sharma

13. “If you can’t forgive and forget, pick one.”-Robert Brault

14. “There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love.”-Bryant H. McGill

15. “To be wronged is nothing, unless you continue to remember it.”-Confucius

Forgive And Let Go Quotes

16. “Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.” — Mark Twain

17. “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” — Lewis B. Smedes

18. “Always forgive your enemies – nothing annoys them so much.” — Oscar Wilde

19. “The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naive forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget.” — Thomas Szasz

20. “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” – Mahatma Gandhi

21. “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

22. “Forgiveness is a funny thing. It warms the heart and cools the sting.” — William Arthur Ward

23. “You can’t forgive without loving. And I don’t mean sentimentality. I don’t mean much. I mean having enough courage to stand up and say, ‘I forgive. I’m finished with it.”— Maya Angelou

24. Forgive, forget. Bear with the faults of others as you would have them bear with yours.” — Phillips Brooks

25. “Before we can forgive one another, we have to understand one another.” — Emma Goldman

26. “Without forgiveness, life is governed by an endless cycle of resentment and retaliation.” — Roberto Assagioli

27. “When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free.” — Katherine Ponder

28. “Forgiveness is the remission of sins. For it is by this that what has been lost, and was found, is saved from being lost again.” — Saint Augustine

29.” To understand somebody else as a human being, I think, is about as close to real forgiveness as one can get.” — David Small

30. “How unhappy is he who cannot forgive himself.” — Publilius Syrus

Best Quotes on Forgiveness

31. “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

32. “We ask for forgiveness. And we forgive others who ask us. In that way we can experience healing, healing in our souls.” – Ed Dobsons

33. “A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers.” – Robert Quillen

34. “Throughout life, people will make you mad, disrespect you, and treat you badly. Let God deal with the things they do, cause hate in your heart will consume you too.” – Will Smith

35. “Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea until they have something to forgive.” – C.S. Lewis

36. “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

37. “To be wronged is nothing, unless you continue to remember it.” – Confucius

38. “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

39. “The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naive forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget.” – Thomas Szasz

40. “There is no peace without forgiveness.” – Marianne Williamson

Last Quotes On Forgiveness

41. “A broken friendship that is mended through forgiveness can be even stronger than it once was.” – Stephen Richards

42. “There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love.” – Bryant H. McGill.

43. “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

44. “Forgiveness is a reflection of loving yourself enough to move on.” – Dr Steve Maraboli

45. “There is nobility in compassion, a beauty in empathy, a grace in forgiveness.” – John Connolly

46. “Forgiving is love’s toughest work, and love’s biggest risk.” – Lewis B. Smedes

47. “Love is pure and kind and forgiving. It is the greatest gift of all.” – Emily Saliers

48. “Love, while always forgiving of imperfections and mistakes, can never cease to will their removal.” -C. S. Lewis

49. “To me, I think justice is part of forgiving if it is well done with love.” – Immaculee Ilibagiza

50. “Sometimes, It’s easier to love someone with flaws you can forgive in return for them forgiving yours.” – Mark Lawrence