30 Forgiveness Quotes That’ll Show You the Power of Letting Go (2024)

30 Forgiveness Quotes That’ll Show You the Power of Letting Go (1)

What comes to your mind when you say the words “I forgive you”? Does it feel like a healing moment, or does it just feel like it's the right thing to do? In a TEDx talk event, screenwriter, writer, and public speaker Sarah Montana bravely shared her tragic experience of losing her family to gun violence; the trigger was pulled by her brother's friend. Her exact words were "Forgiveness is designed to set you free. When you say, "I forgive you," what you're really saying is 'I know what you did is not okay, but I recognize that you are more than that. I don't want to hold us captive to this thing anymore. I can heal myself, and I don't need anything from you.'"

When recently reflecting on the subject of forgiveness, Oprah offered her own words of wisdom. "Forgiveness is giving up the hope that what would have, could have, should have happened, in fact…it did not happen. It's accepting the reality of what did happen, and moving on,"

Tired of letting anger from past mistakes, hurtful breakups, toxic family relationships, or lies occupy space in your heart and mind? There's an extraordinary healing power in taking the steps to forgive someone, or even yourself.

Oprah shared in one of her weekly intention videos: "This truth has been fundamental in allowing me to live my best life. It was transformative. You have to come to the realization that what might have been is not what is." So whichever phase you're at on this journey of healing and moving on, these forgiveness quotes from leaders like Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. may inspire you to move forward instead of reliving the past.

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“We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love," Martin Luther King Jr. wrote in A Gift of Love.

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"Never does the human soul appear so strong as when it forgoes revenge," the poet once wrote.

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The author and civil rights activist said in the December 2000 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine, "It’s one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, to forgive. Forgive everybody."

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"Surely it is much more generous to forgive and remember, than to forgive and forget," she wrote in An Essay on the Noble Science of Self-Justification.

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"True forgiveness is when you can say, ‘Thank you for that experience,'" Oprah once said.

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The leader of India's nonviolent independence movement wrote in 1931 in his weekly paper Young India, "The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong."

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"To err is human; to forgive, divine," wrote the 18th-century English poet in An Essay on Criticism.

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The prolific actor, writer, and producer said in a 2010 interview with The Telegraph,"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."

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In a message celebrating the 2002 World Day of Peace, Pope John Paul II said, "Forgiveness is above all a personal choice, a decision of the heart to go against natural instinct to pay back evil with evil."

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In her 2013 novel The Storyteller, the best-selling author wrote, "Forgiving isn’t something you do for someone else. It's something you do for yourself. It's saying, 'You’re not important enough to have a stranglehold on me.' It’s saying, 'You don't get to trap me in the past. I am worthy of a future.'"

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In the lyrics of his song "Just the Two of Us," the actor, rapper, and Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star writes,"Throughout life people will make you mad, disrespect you and treat you bad. Let God deal with the things they do, because hate in your heart will consume you too."

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"Take forgiveness slowly. Don't blame yourself for being slow. Peace will come," said the Japanese American artist and peace activist in a Tweet.

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In her novel Evermore, Noël wrote:"Forgiveness is healing...especially forgiving yourself."

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"Forgiveness does not mean ignoring what has been done or putting a false label on an evil act. It means, rather, that the evil act no longer remains as a barrier to the relationship. Forgiveness is a catalyst creating the atmosphere necessary for a fresh start and a new beginning," Martin Luther King Jr. said in a sermon published in A Gift of Love.

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The American television personality known for his beloved children's show said in the book Wisdom from the World According to Mr. Rogers, "Forgiveness is a strange thing. It can sometimes be easier to forgive our enemies than our friends. It can be hardest of all to forgive people we love."

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In the December 2000 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine, the late poet said, "You can't forgive without loving. And I don't mean sentimentality. I don’t mean mush. I mean having enough courage to stand up and say, 'I forgive. I'm finished with it.'"

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The South African Anglican cleric and Nobel Peace Prize laureate said in a 2010 interview with The Forgiveness Project, "Forgiveness is not weak. It takes courage to face and overcome powerful emotions."

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"Mistakes are always forgivable, if one has the courage to admit them," wrote the martial artist in his book Striking Thoughts: Bruce Lee's Wisdom for Daily Living.

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The former president of South Africa and Nobel Peace Prize recipient wrote in his autobiography Long Walk To Freedom, "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."

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In her song "Under the Water," the American singer-songwriter sang,"Forgiveness is the needle that knows how to mend."

30 Forgiveness Quotes That’ll Show You the Power of Letting Go (2024)

FAQs

30 Forgiveness Quotes That’ll Show You the Power of Letting Go? ›

“Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a permanent attitude.” – Martin Luther King, Jr. “Never forget the three powerful resources you always have available to you: love, prayer, and forgiveness.” – H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

What is a powerful quote about forgiveness? ›

“Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a permanent attitude.” – Martin Luther King, Jr. “Never forget the three powerful resources you always have available to you: love, prayer, and forgiveness.” – H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

What is the old saying about forgiveness? ›

The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naive forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget. Forgive many things in others; nothing in yourself. Anger makes you smaller, while forgiveness forces you to grow beyond what you were.

What is a quote about forgive and move on? ›

"Forgive others, not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve peace." "Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much." "Forgiveness is the final form of love." "I forgive myself and set myself free."

What are some godly forgiveness quotes? ›

“Forgiveness is manifested mercy; it is love in action – not love based on a feeling, but love based on a decision, an intentional choice to obey God.” 4. “The love of Jesus Christ covers your sins, and it also gives you the power to let other people off the hook. You've been forgiven, and you can forgive others.”

How do you forgive and let go? ›

If you find yourself stuck:
  1. Practice empathy. ...
  2. Ask yourself about the circ*mstances that may have led the other person to behave in such a way. ...
  3. Reflect on times when others have forgiven you.
  4. Write in a journal, pray or use guided meditation. ...
  5. Be aware that forgiveness is a process.

How do you forgive someone who hurts you emotionally? ›

Here are eight ways to work on that.
  1. Get mad, feel hurt and grieve. ...
  2. Ask yourself whether your anger is constructive or destructive. ...
  3. Don't worry—you aren't saying the offense was OK. ...
  4. Practice stress-reduction techniques. ...
  5. Remind yourself why you want this person in your life. ...
  6. Set boundaries.
Dec 12, 2019

What is an inspirational quote about forgiving yourself? ›

Love yourself, accept yourself, forgive yourself and be good to yourself, because without you the rest of us are without a source of many wonderful things. Forgive yourself; you are not perfect. Show yourself grace; you are still learning. Show yourself patience; you are on a journey.

Why is forgiveness so powerful? ›

Forgiving people can help us heal emotionally and move on from past hurts. When we hold onto anger, resentment, and other negative emotions toward others, it can lead to stress, anxiety, or even physical health problems. Forgiveness can help release those negative emotions and allow us to feel more at peace.

What are two quotes from the Bible about forgiveness? ›

Colossians 3:13 “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Ephesians 4: 31-32 “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

What did Jesus say about forgiveness? ›

Jesus taught, “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you” (Mt 6:14). Peter asked Jesus how often it is necessary to forgive, and Jesus replied, “Seventy-seven times” (Mt 18:22), a number to be taken symbolically, not literally, for the never-ending way that we ought to forgive.

Can you forgive someone and still be hurt? ›

Originally Answered: Can you forgive someone and still be hurt? Of course you can. Just because you forgive doesn't mean your feelings are invalid or that they just stop. It means you stop holding it against them.

What is the joy of forgiveness quote? ›

The ineffable joy of forgiving and being forgiven forms an ecstasy that might well arouse the envy of the gods.

What verse is the blessing of forgiveness? ›

Psalm 32:1

“Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.”

What is God's message on forgiveness? ›

"For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." It's important to remember that forgiveness scriptures like Matthew 6:14 remind us that, since God forgives us, we, too, must offer forgiveness to those who have wronged us.

Who said forgiveness is a strength? ›

This line is said by Mahatma Gandhi. The concept that forgiving others is a quality rather than a flaw is crucial. It can be difficult to let go of anger and resentment towards someone who has wronged us, so forgiveness requires courage and empathy.

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