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To err is human; to forgive people and yourself for poor behavior is to be sensible and realistic.
Albert Ellis
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Making mistakes is part of being human, and forgiving ourselves and others is a wise approach.

This quote emphasizes that errors are a natural part of human behavior, and rather than dwelling on those mistakes, recognizing the importance of forgiveness—both for ourselves and others—is essential for personal growth and moving forward in life. It suggests that to achieve a balanced and realistic perspective, one must embrace imperfections and exhibit compassion.

Themes

ForgivenessHumanityMistakesSensibleRealistic

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about growth and resilience, one might say, 'As Albert Ellis said, to err is human; to forgive ourselves is the key to moving forward.'

More from Albert Ellis

Eating is always a decision, nobody forces your hand to pick up food and put it into your mouth.
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Religious creeds encourage some of the craziest kinds of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and favor severe manifestations of neurosis, borderline personality states, and sometimes even psychosis.
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I had used eclectic therapy and behavior therapy on myself at the age of 19 to get over my fear of public speaking and of approaching young women in public.
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If you would stop, really stop, damning yourself, others, and unkind conditions, you would find it almost impossible to upset yourself emotionally - about anything. Yes, anything.
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The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your problems are your own. You do not blame them on your mother, the ecology, or the president. You realize that you control your own destiny.
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Attempts to help humans eliminate all self-ratings and views self-esteem as a self-defeating concept that encourages them to make conditional evaluations of self. Instead, it teaches people unconditional self-acceptance.
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