Quotes About Forgiveness

The lesson? To respond to the unexpected and hurtful behavior of others with something more than a wipe of the glasses, to see it as a chance to expand our understanding.

T]he unsympathetic assessments we make of others are usually the result of nothing more sinister than our habit of looking at them in the wrong way, through lenses clouded by distraction, exhaustion and fear, which blind us to the fact that they are really, despite a thousand differences, just altered versions of ourselves: fellow fragile, uncertain, flawed beings likewise craving love and in urgent need of forgiveness.

At the beginning of human history, as we struggled to light fires and to chisel fallen trees into rudimentary canoes, who could have predicted that long after we had managed to send men to the moon and areoplanes to Australasia, we would still have such trouble knowing how to tolerate ourselves, forgive our loved ones, and apologise for our tantrums?

Love reaches a pitch at those moments when our beloved turns out to understand, more clearly than others have ever been able to, and perhaps even better than we do ourselves, the chaotic, embarrassing and shameful parts of us. That someone else gets who we are and both sympathizes with and forgives us for what they see underpins our whole capacity to trust and to give. Love is a dividend of gratitude for our lover's insight into our own confused and troubled psyche.

We do our sulking lovers the greatest possible favor when we are able to regard their tantrums as we would those of an infant. We are so alive to the idea that it's patronizing to be thought of as younger than we are; we forget that it is also, at times, the greatest privilege for someone to look beyond our adult self in order to engage with—and forgive—the disappointed, furious, inarticulate child within.

How quickly all the advantages of technological civilisation are wiped out by a domestic squabble. At the beginning of human history, as we struggled to light fires and to chisel fallen trees into rudimentary canoes, who could have predicted that long after we had managed to send men to the moon and aeroplanes to Australasia, we would still have trouble knowing how to tolerate ourselves, forgive our loved ones and apologise for our tantrums?

There is valour in being able to identify a forgiving, hopeful perspective on one's life, in knowing how to be a friend to oneself, because one has a responsibility to others to endure.

We must live with our enemies as if they might one day become our friends, and live with our friends as if they might some time or other become our enemies'.

Powerlessness became 'goodness', baseness 'humility', submission to people one hated 'obedience' and, in Nietzsche's phrase, not-being-able to-take-revenge' turned into 'forgiveness'. Every feeling of weakness was overlaid with a sanctifying name, and made to seem 'a voluntary achievement. something wanted. chosen. a deed, an accomplishment.

enojo poco después de recibir una ofensa es la cosa más generosa que uno puede hacer, pues le ahorra al ofensor el florecimiento de la culpa y la necesidad de hacer bajar al ofendido de su torre almenada. Como

And if we were to show up at any college humanities department in urgent search of purpose and meaning, or were to break down in a museum gallery in a quest for forgiveness or charity, we would be swiftly removed and possibly handed over to psychiatric authorities. The intensity of need and the emotional craving that religions once willingly engaged with have not been thought acceptable within the contemporary cultural realm.

that they will be patient and show compassion, that they will trust and forgive, and that they will remain best friends and loyal companions until death.

Then Rachel said, Mama used to tell me that God saw everything, knew everything, even what was in our hearts. Yes, Catherine agreed, especially there. So, He'd know, wouldn't he, what kind of pain was in your mama's heart when she took that medicine. She didn't wait for a reply. So why can't you trust that God knows enough not to blame her for what she did.

We moved into Jade Moon's rooming house within the week, and slowly she and I found that our friendship, though damaged, was like fabric torn on the seam: not beyond repair.

Let the things of long ago drift away on the water

Those who recognize their innocence do not expect, receive, or accept punishment from any outside source.

Those who love you are not fooled by mistakes you have made or dark images you hold about yourself. They remember your beauty when you feel ugly; your wholeness when you are broken; your innocence when you feel guilty; and your purpose when you are confused

A Course in Miracles doesn't limit psychic self-mutilation to unrequited love. The Course tells us that any illness and any pain, physical or emotional, is our way of holding someone else guilty for hurting us. If we did not blame others, the Course explains, we would never be sick. I

Torturarnos a nosotros mismos o a los demás por alguna razón es una historia enfermiza de creación propia. Nada de eso es necesario.

Carrying the past with us is always more burdensome than any mistake we have made. Guilt, resentment, and criticism of self or other s for past deeds is far more debilitating than a momentary error. Any energy we invest in reliving or resenting the past detracts from the life at hand.

A sign in a pottery store in England announced, "Please let us know if you break any item, so we can forgive you.

Tu pasado no tiene poder para perseguirte. Eres tú quien se persigue a sí mismo concentrándote en un pasado doloroso —le respondí.

Un pasado doloroso se cura prestando atención a las bendiciones del mismo.

Todo tu pasado, excepto su belleza, ha desaparecido, y no queda ni rastro de él, salvo una bendición» (T-5.IV.8:2).