Grocott & Ward, comps. Grocott’s Familiar Quotations, 6th ed. 189-?.
Forgiveness
Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us.
The Lord’s Prayer.
As you from crimes would pardon’d be,
Let your indulgence set me free.
Shakespeare.—The Tempest, Epilogue.
To bear no malice or hatred in my heart.
Church Catechism.
Forgiveness to the injured does belong,
But they ne’er pardon who have done the wrong.
Dryden.—The Conquest of Granada, Part II. Act I. Scene 2.
[This idea seems to have been taken from Tacitus: Proprium humani ingenii est odisse quem læseris. “It is the nature of the human disposition to hate him whom you have injured.” This arises from a consciousness that he has reason to dislike you, and that his forgiveness may not be sincere. Riley’s Class. Dict. 348.]
The mind that too frequently forgives bad actions, will at last forget good ones.
Reynolds.—The Dramatist, Act II. Scene 1.
1.Can’st thou forgive me?
2.Not while you ask forgiveness; that’s a fault
I can never pardon.
Colley Cibber.—Woman’s Wit, Act V.