If anyone tells you that such a person speaks ill of you, don't make excuses about what is said of you, but answer: " He does not know my other faults, else he would not have mentioned only these.

When we believe the best of people, we let go of each thing they do that is hurtful to us. And we choose to think things like, 'I don't believe they meant to hurt me.' 'Maybe they're having a bad day or don't feel well.' 'They probably don't even realize how they sound.'

If we can find forgiveness in our hearts for those who have caused us hurt and injury, we will rise to a higher level of self-esteem and well-being.

I am a minister and I preach forgiveness all time.

I'm a minister, I preach forgiveness all the time.

Holding on to silent resentment makes you a prisoner in your own mind and emotions.

Resentment always hurts you more than it does the person you resent. While your offender has probably forgotten the offense and gone on with life, you continue to stew in your pain, perpetuating the past. Listen: those who hurt you in the past cannot continue to hurt you now unless you hold on to the pain through resentment. Your past is past! Nothing will change it. You are only hurting yourself with your bitterness. For your own sake, learn from it, and then let it go.

scapegoaters, but rather on the side of the scapegoated victim.

To truly forgive is to allow the other person to forget.

A mom forgives us all our faults, not to mention one or two we don't even have.

That's one of the things we learn as we grow older -- how to forgive. It comes easier at forty than it did at twenty.

It's a dreadful mistake to cherish bitterness for years... hugging it to our hearts like a treasure.