The proverb "To err is human, to forgive, divine" highlights the natural tendency of humans to make mistakes and the noble, almost godlike quality of being able to forgive those mistakes. It acknowledges that error is an inherent part of the human experience, but forgiveness is a virtue that transcends ordinary human behavior. While making mistakes is something everyone does, forgiving those mistakes, especially when they cause harm, requires a higher level of empathy, understanding, and compassion.
Consider the example of a woman named Cyrielle, a typically French name. Cyrielle had a close friend, Élodie, with whom she shared many cherished memories. One day, Élodie made a hurtful mistake; she shared a personal secret of Cyrielle’s with others, breaking her trust. Cyrielle was deeply wounded and felt betrayed. The pain of this betrayal lingered, and for a time, Cyrielle couldn’t imagine how she could ever trust Élodie again.
Despite her hurt, Cyrielle began to reflect on her own imperfections. She remembered times when she, too, had made mistakes, sometimes unintentionally hurting others. With this perspective, Cyrielle started to see Élodie’s actions not as a deliberate act of malice, but as a human error—a lapse in judgment that anyone could have made. Cyrielle realized that holding onto her anger would only prolong her suffering and prevent her from healing.
Deciding to forgive Élodie wasn’t easy for Cyrielle, but she knew it was the right thing to do. By choosing to forgive, she wasn’t excusing the mistake, but rather acknowledging Élodie’s humanity and allowing space for their friendship to heal. When Cyrielle forgave Élodie, she felt a weight lift from her heart. This act of forgiveness brought them closer, and their friendship eventually grew stronger.
Cyrielle’s decision to
forgive exemplifies the divine quality of forgiveness. It requires a selfless
act of letting go of hurt and resentment, allowing love and understanding to
take their place. While it’s human to err, it’s truly divine to forgive and
move forward with grace.
However, please remember that forgiving someone who has taken the liberty to hurt you does not mean becoming his/her next best friend. You do not need to befriend such person. For the safety of your mental health, you can still love people from far, from very far.
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