Forgiveness is one of the hardest and most freeing things a person can do. It doesn’t mean what happened was okay. It means you are choosing not to carry it anymore.
These quotes about forgiveness were written by our editors, with a section of King James verses for readers who find guidance in Scripture.
Our editor’s top picks
- Forgiveness won’t rewrite what happened, but it can set you free from it.
- Letting go is a gift you give yourself.
- You can forgive and still set boundaries.
- Forgiveness is not forgetting. It’s choosing peace.
- Healing begins when you stop carrying what hurt you.
Short forgiveness quotes
For journals and captions.
- Forgive. Heal. Grow.
- Let it go.
- Choose peace.
- Free, not bitter.
- Healing starts here.
- Release and rise.
- Grace over grudges.
- Forgiven and free.
Quotes about forgiving others
For hurts you’re ready to release.
- Holding onto anger only keeps the wound open.
- Forgiving someone doesn’t mean inviting them back in.
- You can forgive without an apology.
- Forgiveness is for your peace, not their comfort.
- Resentment is heavy. Put it down.
- Some people will never say sorry. Forgive anyway, for you.
- Forgiveness is a process, not a single moment.
- Letting go of anger makes room for joy.
Quotes about forgiving yourself
For guilt, mistakes and regret.
- You are allowed to forgive the person you used to be.
- Mistakes are lessons, not life sentences.
- Show yourself the grace you show others.
- You did the best you could with what you knew then.
- Self-forgiveness is where healing begins.
- Stop punishing yourself for being human.
- Your past doesn’t define your worth.
- Forgive yourself, then do better.
Quotes about letting go
For moving forward.
- Letting go isn’t giving up. It’s moving on.
- Not every chapter needs a closing conversation.
- Some things are meant to be released, not fixed.
- Let go of what you can’t change and focus on what you can.
- Peace comes when you stop replaying the past.
- Turn the page gently. The next chapter is waiting.
- Letting go makes room for better things.
- Release the weight, keep the lesson.
Bible verses about forgiveness
Exact King James Version wording.
- “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” — Ephesians 4:32 (KJV)
- “Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another … even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” — Colossians 3:13 (KJV)
- “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.” — 1 John 1:9 (KJV)
- “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” — Psalm 103:12 (KJV)
- “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” — Matthew 6:12 (KJV)
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How we put this list together: Original quotes are written by our editors. Bible verses use exact King James Version wording. Written and reviewed by John Moler, editor at Graceful Names. See our editorial policy.
