Help clients explore the essence of forgiveness with this compilation of insightful quotes.
Offers theory, guidance, and prompts for mental health professionals. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.
Includes client-friendly guidance. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.
An editable Microsoft PowerPoint version of the resource.
Everyone experiences interpersonal hurts, such as acts of omission (e.g., being neglected) and acts of commission (e.g., intentional or unintentional harm). People respond to these transgressions in different ways, such as seeking justice or revenge, “letting go” of the offence, or choosing to forgive the wrongdoer. Clients often find it challenging to grasp the concept of forgiveness due to common misconceptions. The Forgiveness Quotes information handout contains a helpful selection of quotations about forgiveness for aiding an understanding of what forgiveness is truly about. Quotes include, “To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness.” (Robert Muller).
Exploring forgiveness through inspiring, illustrative quotes can offer new perspectives and provoke meaningful therapeutic discussions.
Individuals dealing with betrayal or emotional hurt.
Emotional difficulties linked to past transgressions.
Individuals who have experienced significant interpersonal injuries.
Start a conversation about forgiveness.
Use quotes to explore the nature and process of forgiveness.
Encourage reflection on personal experiences and views about forgiveness.
Forgiveness can be defined in various ways, such as, "a willingness to abandon one’s right to resentment, negative judgment, and indifferent behavior toward someone who has unjustly harmed us, while fostering undeserved qualities like compassion, generosity, and even love toward that person" (Enright, 1998). Although some aspects of forgiveness, such as the necessity of feeling positively toward the offender, are debated, most definitions emphasize the importance of letting go of resentment toward those who caused harm (Legaree et al., 2007).
Fortunately, there is more agreement on what forgiveness is not (Affinito, 2002; Enright & Fitzgibbons, 2000; Greenberg, 2015). For instance, forgiveness is not the same as acceptance (tolerating the offence), acquiescence (allowing harm to continue), or reconciliation (re-establishing trust with the offender). These distinctions are important as they allow individuals to forgive without sacrificing their right to safety and justice (Rye & Pargament, 2002).
This collection of illustrative quotes help clients explore the nature and process of forgiveness from many viewpoints, while also correcting misconceptions about it.
