Mercy and forgiveness must be free and unmerited to the wrongdoer. If the wrongdoer has to do something to merit it, then it isn't mercy, but forgiveness always comes at a cost to the one granting the forgiveness.

He who harbors hatred and bitterness injures himself far more than the one towards whom he manifests these evil propensities.

The more we hold on to our hurts, anger and bitterness, the more we become slaves to unforgiveness.

With malice towards none; with charity for all.

The worst temptation of religious people has always been to publish and punish the sins of (other) sinners in this world, with no patience or deference for the judgment of God.

We shall not kill and maybe next time we even won't.

Something to forgive is a purer joy than geometry.

Forgiveness is the name of love practiced among people who love poorly. The hard truth is that all people love poorly. We need to forgive and be forgiven every day, every hour increasingly. That is the great work of love among the fellowship of the weak that is the human family.

Carrying a grudge is a heavy burden. As you forgive, you will feel the joy of being forgiven. At this Christmastime you can give and receive the gift of forgiveness. The feeling of happiness that will come will be a glimpse of what we can feel at home together in the eternal home for which we yearn.

Compassion will cure more sins than condemnation.

We should not judge people by their peak of excellence; but by the distance they have traveled from the point where they started.

A forgiveness ought to be like a canceled note, torn in two and burned up, so that it can never be shown against the man.