Forgiveness does not mean condoning what has been done. Forgiving means abandoning your right to pay back the perpetrator in his own coin.
Interpretation
Forgiveness is about letting go of resentment, not excusing wrongdoing.
This quote by Desmond Tutu emphasizes the true essence of forgiveness. It clarifies that forgiving someone does not equate to accepting or condoning their actions; rather, it involves relinquishing the desire for revenge or retribution. Such an act of forgiveness is not only a personal liberation from anger and hurt but also a moral stance that emphasizes compassion over vengeance.
In practice
In a public speaking event discussing conflict resolution, one might say, 'As Desmond Tutu wisely stated, forgiveness does not mean condoning what's done...'
The fossil reserves that have already been discovered exceed what can ever be safely used. Yet companies spend half a trillion dollars each year searching for more fuel. They should redirect this money toward developing clean energy solutions
As much as the world has an instinct for evil and is a breeding ground for genocide, holocaust, slavery, racism, war, oppression, and injustice, the world has an even greateer instinct for goodness, rebirth, mercy, beauty, truth, freedom and love.
When the missionaries came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the land. They said 'Let us pray.' We closed our eyes. When we opened them we had the Bible and they had the land.
Children are a wonderful gift. They have an extraordinary capacity to see into the heart of things and to expose sham and humbug for what they are.
Religion is like a knife: you can either use it to cut bread, or stick in someone's back.
Gaza is going to test who believes in the worth of human beings.
The greatest firmness is the greatest mercy.
We must dare to think unthinkable thoughts.
Refrain from asking what going to happen tomorrow, and everyday that fortune grants you, count as gain.
Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives, the cumulative experience of many masters of craftsmanship. Quality also marks the search for an ideal after necessity has been satisfied and mere usefulness achieved.
Zeroes are important. A million seconds ago was last week. A billion seconds ago, Richard Nixon resigned the presidency. A trillion seconds ago was 30,000 BC, and early humans were using stone tools.
As a rule, men worry more about what they can't see than about what they can.
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