“Forgiveness is commendable, but apply not ointment to the wound of an oppressor.”

To tell a falsehood is like the cut of a saber: for though the wound may heal, the scar of it will remain.

Have patience. All things are difficult before they become easy.

Be not in the desire of thine own ease.

The stranger has no friend, unless it be a stranger.

Expose not the secret failings of mankind, otherwise you must verily bring scandal upon them and distrust upon yourself.

A tree, freshly rooted, may be pulled up by one man on his own. Give it time, and it will not be moved, even with a crane.

He who lives upon the fruit of his own labor, escapes the contempt of haughty benefactors.

People are crying up the rich and variegated plumage of the peacock, and he is himself blushing at the sight of his ugly feet.

Whatever makes an impression on the heart seems lovely in the eye.

A friend whom you have been gaining during your whole life, you ought not to be displeased with in a moment. A stone is many years becoming a ruby – take care that you do not destroy it in an instant against another stone.

When a mean wretch cannot vie with another in virtue, out of his wickedness he begins to slander. The abject envious wretch will slander the virtuous man when absent, but when brought face to face his loquacious tongue becomes dumb.

It is better to break off a thousand friendships, than to endure the sight of a single enemy.

A man of virtue, judgment, and prudence speaks not until there is silence.

Whoever recounts to you the faults of your neighbour will doubtless expose your defects to others.

No person learned the art of archery from me, who did not in the end make me his target.

To pardon the oppressor is to deal harshly with the oppressed.

The lamb misused breeds public strife And yet forgives the butcher’s knife.

It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend.

Forgiveness from others is charity; from God, grace; from oneself, wisdom.

Today I decided to forgive you. Not because you apologized, or because you acknowledged the pain that you caused me, but because my soul deserves peace.

For all eternity, I forgive you and you forgive me.

He said you were the only one who was bitter about S’s suicide and the only one who really forgave him for it. The rest of us, he said, were outwardly unbitter and inwardly unforgiving.

Forgiveness of those who have transgressed against you, or those you love, is not about them; it is about you. It is a gift to yourself.

Blemishes are hid by night and every fault forgiven; darkness makes any woman fair.