Forgiveness

Forgiveness is the choice that a person makes not to punish or try to get revenge against another person for something bad that the other person did or something that is illegal or immoral. When someone forgives someone else, they stop hating that person.^[1] They wish their offender well.^[1] Forgiveness is a mental or spiritual process. It means no longer feeling angry at another person, or at yourself. This could be because of a crime, a sin, an offense, an insult, a difference, an error, a mistake, or a failure. Forgiveness does not require punishment or restitution. It is given without any expectation of compensation. Forgiveness may involve offering an apology. Forgiveness involves the feelings of the person who forgives and their relationship with the person being forgiven. Forgiveness can occur without the person being forgiven ever knowing about it. For example, a person can forgive another person who is dead or who is not seen for a long time. Forgiveness means forgetting offenses. It is sincere and genuine. It does not impose humiliating conditions. It is not motivated by pride. True forgiveness is known by deeds and not by words.

Mahatma Gandhi said, "The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong."

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} "American Psychological Association. Forgiveness: A Sampling of Research Results." (PDF). 2006. Retrieved 2009-02-07.