Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
The quote suggests that forgiving those who betrayed others is not within human capacity, especially when the betrayal involves profound suffering.
In plain terms
You cannot forgive those who hurt others deeply.
What can you take from it?
Recognize limits in forgiving severe betrayals.

Where it applies

  • moral dilemmas
  • ethical reflection
  • personal loss

Putting it to work

  • reflect on forgiveness
  • assess moral boundaries

Questions to consider

  • When is forgiveness not appropriate?
  • Who deserves forgiveness?

Another view

Some argue forgiveness is always possible regardless of the crime.

More from Zbigniew Herbert

  1. Go where the others have gone, to the tenebrous limit for the golden fleece of void, your ultimate prize go upright among those who are on their knees among th…

    Permalink to quote #3
  2. You survived not to live on your time is short, you have to give a proof of truth

    Permalink to quote #5
  3. Jesli tematem sztuki bedzie dzbanek rozbity mala rozbita dusza z wielkim zalem nad soba to co po nas zostanie bedzie jak placz kochankow w malym brudnym hotelu…

    Permalink to quote #2

Related quotes

  1. In men whom men condemn as ill I find so much of goodness still. In men whom men pronounce divine I find so much of sin and blot I do not dare to draw a line B…

    Joaquin MillerJoaquin Miller quote #3
  2. L'homme n'est ni ange ni bete, et le malheur veut que qui veut faire l'ange fait la bete.

    Blaise PascalBlaise Pascal quote #4
  3. Human beings will find a balanced situation when they do good things not because God says it, but because they feel like doing them.

    Olof PalmeOlof Palme quote #4