I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.
― Abraham Lincoln 

Below is the original photo used to create this image. This is a royalty-free image by Mylene2401 from Pixabay.

I have learned, that the person I have to ask for forgiveness from the most is: myself. You must love yourself. You have to forgive yourself, every day, whenever you remember a shortcoming, a flaw, you have to tell yourself “That’s just fine”. You have to forgive yourself so much, until you don’t even see those things anymore. Because that’s what love is like.
― C. JoyBell C. 

Below is the original photo used to create this image. This is a royalty-free image by Susilo Adi from Pixabay.

For me, forgiveness and compassion are always linked: how do we hold people accountable for wrongdoing and yet at the same time remain in touch with their humanity enough to believe in their capacity to be transformed?
― bell hooks 

Below is the original photo used to create this image. This is a royalty-free image by Stux from Pixabay.

Watch out for each other. Love everyone and forgive everyone, including yourself. Forgive your anger. Forgive your guilt. Your shame. Your sadness. Embrace and open up your love, your joy, your truth, and most especially your heart.
― Jim Henson 

Below is the original photo used to create this image. This is a royalty-free image by Mylene2401 from Pixabay.

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.’
― Jodi Picoult, The Storyteller 

 

Below is the original photo used to create this image. I happened upon these lovelies during a walk through my neighborhood, and since I can’t resist anything purple… No special lighting or retouching, just a snap from my smart phone.

You’re different. And I’m different too. Different is good. But different is hard. Believe me, I know.
― Matthew Quick, Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock 

 

Below is the original photo used to create this image. I have a fair collection of crystals and took a close up of my amethyst geode. No special lighting or retouching, just a snap from my smart phone.

repeat after me:
you owe
no one
your forgiveness.
– except maybe yourself.
― Amanda Lovelace, The Princess Saves Herself in This One 

 

Below is the original photo used to create this image. It was sent to me by a good friend who happens to spend his days outside as a postal carrier. These lovelies were found along his delivery route. No special lighting or retouching, just a snap from his smart phone.

There isn’t time, so brief is life, for bickerings, apologies, heartburnings, callings to account. There is only time for loving, and but an instant, so to speak, for that.
― Mark Twain 

Below is the original photo used to create this image. This is a royalty-free image by Susilo Adi from Pixabay.

Love is forgiving, accepting, moving on, embracing, and all encompassing. And if you’re not doing that for yourself, you cannot do that with anyone else.
― Steve Maraboli, Unapologetically You: Reflections on Life and the Human Experience 

 

Below is the original photo used to create this image. I happened upon these lovelies during a walk through my neighborhood, and since I can’t resist anything purple… No special lighting or retouching, just a snap from my smart phone.

Forgiveness means it finally becomes unimportant that you hit back. You’re done. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you want to have lunch with the person. If you keep hitting back, you stay trapped in the nightmare…
― Anne Lamott, Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith 

Below is the original photo used to create this image. This is a royalty-free image by Stux from Pixabay.