Alexander Pope on forgiveness

How happy is the blameless Vestal’s lot! The world forgetting, by the world forgot. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind! Each pray’r accepted, and each wish resign’d.

Let me tell you I am better acquainted with you for a long absence, as men are with themselves for a long affliction: absence does but hold off a friend, to make one see him the truer.

Do good by stealth, and blush to find it fame.

Love, while always forgiving of imperfections and mistakes, can never cease to will their removal.

C. S. Lewis1898–1963

• Love
• Theology

Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heal that has crushed it.

Mark Twain1835–1910

• Virtue

Forgive, O Lord, my little jokes on Thee, and I’ll forgive Thy great big joke on me.

Robert Frost1874–1963In the Clearing (1962), “Forgive, O Lord”

• God