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About this quote

What does it mean?
Ford rejects revenge and amnesty, asking Americans to forgive and heal from past conflicts.
In plain terms
I do not want revenge or pardon, but I want everyone to forgive and move on.
What can you take from it?
Choose healing and forgiveness over punishment after conflict.

Where it applies

  • post-war recovery
  • political healing
  • national unity

Putting it to work

  • promote forgiveness
  • avoid retribution

Questions to consider

  • How do we heal after war?
  • Is forgiveness enough for justice?

Another view

Rejecting revenge might feel like ignoring past injustices.

More from Gerald Ford

  1. All of us who served in one war or another know very well that all wars are the glory and the agony of the young.

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  2. It is believed that a trial of Richard Nixon, if it became necessary, could not fairly begin until a year or more has elapsed. In the meantime, the tranquility…

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  3. All my children have spoken for themselves since they first learned to speak, and not always with my advance approval, and I expect that to continue in the fut…

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