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Quote by Lewis B. Smedes

“We forgive freely or we do not really forgive at all.”

Quote by Lewis B. Smedes

Author

Lewis B. Smedes

Lewis B. Smedes was an American author renowned for his theological and philosophical writings. Born in 1921, he made significant contributions to the fields of ethics and spirituality, with a particular focus on themes of forgiveness and reconciliation. His work has had a profound impact on both religious and secular audiences. more

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“The problem with revenge is that it never gets what it wants; it never evens the score. Fairness never comes. The chain reaction set off by every act of vengeance always takes its unhindered course. It ties both the injured and the injurer to an escalator of pain...Why do family feuds go on and on?...the reason is simple: no two people, no two families, ever weigh pain on the same scale.”

People Want Two Reason Problem Pain Courses Simple Goes On Forgiveness Revenge Scales Reactions Chains Ties Score Fairness Vengeance Injured Feuds Escalators Chain Reactions Family Feud

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“I believe 'love' is very nice to hear, but it's used so much that it's come to a point where it's almost meaningless.”

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“Gandhi was right: if we all live by 'an eye for an eye' the whole world will be blind. The only way out is forgiveness.”

Ifs World Way Whole Eye Forgiveness Blind Whole World Live By Eye For An Eye

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“I have discovered that most people who tell me that they cannot forgive a person who wronged them are handicapped by a mistaken understanding of what forgiving is.”

People Persons Understanding Forgiveness Forgiving Mistaken Wronged Handicapped

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“God is the original, master forgiver. Each time we grope our reluctant way through the minor miracle of forgiving, we are imitating his style. I am not at all sure that any of us would have had imagination enough to see the possibilities in this way to heal the wrongs of this life had he not done it first.”

Way Firsts Done Enough Imagination Style Possibility Masters Forgiveness Miracle Originals Forgiving Heal This Life Minors Reluctant Imitating

Book:Days of Grace Through the Year

Source: Days of Grace Through the Year

“A wise judge may let mercy temper justice but may not let mercy undo it.”

May Justice Wise Judging Forgiveness Mercy Let Me Temper

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“Forgiving is an affair strictly between a victim and a victimizer. Everyone else should step aside...The worst wounds I ever felt were the ones people gave to my children. Wrong my kids, you wrong me. And my hurt qualifies me to forgive you. But only for the pain you caused me when you wounded them. My children alone are qualified to forgive you for what you did to them.”

People Should Children Kids Pain Felt Hurt Steps Worst Forgiveness Victim Forgiving Affair Wounds My Children Wounded Qualified

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“I am certain that people never forgive because they believe they have an obligation to do it or because someone told them to do it. Forgiveness has to come from inside as a desire of the heart. Wanting to is the steam that pushes the forgiving engine.”

People Believe Heart Desire Certain Forgiveness Forgiving Obligation Engines Steam Never Forgive

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“Not even God can make something fair out of what is intrinsically unfair. Only one thing can be done. Something must break through the crust of unfairness and create a chance for a new fairness. Only forgiveness can make the breakthrough.”

Done Chance Break One Thing Forgiveness Fairs Fairness Unfair Breakthrough Break Through Unfairness

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“God invented forgiving as a remedy for a past that not even he could change and not even he could forget. His way of forgiving is the model for our forgiving.”

Way Past Forget Models Forgiveness Forgiving Remedy

Author:Lewis B. Smedes