Miroslav Volf Quotes

We only learn at the speed of pain, and we don't have others in our lives without forgiveness.

I think one of the most important things in evolving is forgiveness.

I've had people send messages that said, 'I'm sorry how I treated you in high school.' It was just through kindness. I still think of the world the same way I did growing up. When I got hurt, I decided that this is how people are. But the world is changing, and even those people have changed. And I have. I need to let go, too.

Life is life. You have to learn how to forgive people and how to gain forgiveness for yourself.

It's toughest to forgive ourselves. So it's probably best to start with other people. It's almost like peeling an onion. Layer by layer, forgiving others, you really do get to the point where you can forgive yourself.

Forgiveness is a very personal and intimate thing. Forgiveness is not something that you can speak for others because it includes not only your desire and will, your reflection and intellect, but also your emotions.

Many people have trouble with forgiveness because they have been taught it is a singular act to be completed in one sitting. That is not so. Forgiveness has many layers, many seasons.

We all know in our hearts that forgiveness is the right thing; it's just a matter of being inspired to reach that place.

I think that with everything I've done, in the end, whoever the central character is, they would find a way to forgive, because that's really important to me.

It's not an easy journey, to get to a place where you forgive people. But it is such a powerful place, because it frees you.

I guess the older I get, the more understanding and forgiving I've become.

People can be more forgiving than you can imagine. But you have to forgive yourself. Let go of what's bitter and move on.

One of the most lasting pleasures you can experience is the feeling that comes over you when you genuinely forgive an enemy - whether he knows it or not.

You can learn from anyone even your enemy.

Compromise and tolerance are magic words. It took me 40 years to become philosophical.

Some of my best friends here in New York have pasts I have a hard time reconciling with the people I'm close to now. But I wouldn't change them - or their pasts - for anything in the world. Their experiences are what made them the people they are today.

Not to sound too Dr. Phil all of a sudden, but I think the key to survival is to embrace one's past and to not run away from it. And to come to some sort of relationship with it or understanding of it.

I had to learn compassion. Had to learn what it felt like to hate, and to forgive and to love and be loved. And to lose people close to me. Had to feel deep loneliness and sorrow. And then I could write.

I don't have nothing to regret at all in the past, except that I might've unintentionally hurt somebody else or something.

The most important thing that I learned in growing up is that forgiveness is something that, when you do it, you free yourself to move on.

Life has changed. People have changed. They are more forgiving, less inclined to rush to judgment. And I have changed.

The first step in forgiveness is the willingness to forgive.

They say I've made mistakes, but they've been mistakes of the heart.

Forgiveness is a basis for moral and ethical behavior.

We all say things sometimes to hurt people, so it's important to forgive and have peace with others and forgive and be at peace with yourself.