To turn water into wine, and what is common into what is holy, is indeed the glory of Christianity.
Frederick William RobertsonRead
By experience; by a sense of human frailty; by a perception of "the soul of goodness in things evil;" by a cheerful trust in human nature; by a strong sense of God's love; by long and disciplined realization of the atoning love of Christ; only thus can we get a free, manly, large, princely spirit of forgiveness.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Forgiveness comes from understanding human weaknesses and recognizing the goodness that exists even in flawed situations.
This quote emphasizes that true forgiveness arises from a deep awareness of human imperfection and the inherent goodness that can be found even in negative circumstances. It suggests that by trusting in the positive aspects of human nature and recognizing a higher love, particularly that illustrated by Christ, one can cultivate a spirit of forgiveness that is generous and noble.
Themes
ForgivenessHuman NatureGoodnessTrustLove
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on conflict resolution, one might quote this to encourage empathy and understanding.
More from Frederick William Robertson
All quotes →The one who will be found in trial capable of great acts of love is ever the one who is always doing considerate small ones.
Frederick William RobertsonRead
No one can be great, or good, or happy except through the inward efforts of themselves.
Frederick William RobertsonRead
In these two things the greatness of man consists, to have God dwelling in us as to impart His character to us, and to have Him dwelling in us, that we recognize His presence, and know that we are His, and He is ours. The one is salvation; the other, the assurance of it.
Frederick William RobertsonRead
The office of poetry is not to make us think accurately, but feel truly.
Frederick William RobertsonRead
There are three things in the world that deserve no mercy, hypocrisy, fraud, and tyranny.
Frederick William RobertsonRead
Similar quotes
We cannot repent for someone else. But we can forgive someone else, refusing to hold hostage those whom the Lord seeks to set free!
Neal A. MaxwellRead
I don't forgive people because I'm weak, I forgive them because I am strong enough to know people make mistakes.
Marilyn MonroeRead
There comes a day when, for someone who has persecuted us, we feel only indifference, a weariness at his stupidity. Then we forgive him.
Cesare PaveseRead
Forgiving is tough. Excusing is easy. What a mistake it is to confuse forgiving with being mushy, soft, gutless, and oh, so understanding. Before we forgive, we stiffen our spine and we hold a person accountable. And only then, in tough-minded judgment, can we do the outrageously impossible thing: we can forgive.
Lewis B. SmedesRead
In a recent interview, General Norman Schwartzkof was asked if he thought there was room for forgiveness toward the people who have harboured and abetted the terrorists who perpetrated the 9/11 attacks on America. His answer..."I believe that forgiving them is God's function. Our job is simply to arrange the meeting.
Norman SchwarzkopfRead
Let us go back to the Lord. The Lord never tires of forgiving: never! It is we who tire of asking his forgiveness. Let us ask for the grace not to tire of asking forgiveness, because he never tires of forgiving.
Pope FrancisRead