Wisdom from the Major World Relgions
On the theme of: FORGIVENESS
Baha’i
Do not look at the shortcomings of anybody; see with the sight of forgiveness.
Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 92
Buddhism
Brethren, if outsiders should speak against me, or against the Doctrine, or against the Order, you should not on that account either bear malice, or suffer resentment, or feel ill will. If you, on that account, should feel angry and hurt, that would stand in the way of your own self- conquest.
Digha Nikaya i.3
To understand everything is to forgive everything
Buddha
Christianity
You shall not take vengeance or bear any grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Leviticus 19.18
Confucianism
The superior man tends to forgive wrongs and deals leniently with crimes.
I Ching 40: Release
Hinduism
A superior being does not render evil for evil; this is a maxim one should observe; the ornament of virtuous persons is their conduct. One should never harm the wicked or the good or even criminals meriting death.Ramayana, Yuddha Kanda 115
Islam
The best deed of a great man is to forgive and forget.
(Shiite). Nahjul Balagha, Saying 201
If you efface and overlook and forgive, then lo! God is forgiving, merciful.
Qur'an 64.14
Moses son of Imran said, "My Lord, who is the greatest of Thy servants in Thy estimation?" and received the reply, "The one who forgives when he is in a position of power."
Hadith of Baihaqi
Hold to forgiveness, command what is right; but turn away from the
ignorant."
Qur'an 7:199
Thou art our Protecting Friend, therefore forgive us and have mercy on us,
Thou, the Best of all who show forgiveness.
Qur’an 7:155
Jainism
Subvert anger by forgiveness.
Samanasuttam 136
Judaism
Who takes vengeance or bears a grudge acts like one who, having cut one hand while handling a knife, avenges himself by stabbing the other hand.
Jerusalem Talmud, Nedarim 9.4
Native African
He that forgives gains the victory.
African Proverb from Nigeria
Native American
Do not wrong or hate your neighbor for it is not he that you wrong but yourself.
Pima saying
New Thought
Acceptance of what has happened is the first step to overcoming the consequences of any misfortune.
William James
Here is a mental treatment guaranteed to cure every ill that flesh is heir to: sit for half an hour every night and mentally forgive everyone against whom you have any ill will or antipathy.
Charles Fillmore
Sikhism
Where there is forgiveness, there is God Himself.
Adi Granth, Shalok, Kabir, p. 1372
Taoism
Show endurance in humiliation and bear no grudge.
Treatise on Response and Retribution
Zoroastrianism
Be good, be kind, be humane, and charitable; love your fellows; console the afflicted; pardon those who have done you wrong.
Zoroaster