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Forgiveness is a powerful tool that helps us heal and grow. Whether it’s forgiving a friend for a mistake, letting go of a hurt, or making amends after an argument, learning to forgive is a vital life skill.
In this blog, we explore a collection of forgiveness quotes for kids that inspire understanding, empathy, and the strength to forgive others. These quotes remind us that forgiveness not only helps others, but it also brings peace to ourselves. Let’s dive into the world of forgiveness and discover how it can help us build stronger, kinder relationships.
Table of Contents
Why Teach Kids About Forgiveness
Teaching kids about forgiveness helps them develop emotional intelligence, empathy, and self-control. By learning to forgive, children understand the importance of letting go of negative feelings and the power of healing relationships. Forgiveness also fosters resilience, helping kids bounce back from conflicts and challenges. With the tools to forgive, children can handle difficult situations with kindness and maturity, building stronger connections with others. Teaching forgiveness also helps kids practice self-compassion, showing them that it’s okay to make mistakes and that learning to forgive ourselves is just as important as forgiving others. Through forgiveness, kids grow into more emotionally balanced, empathetic, and understanding individuals.
11 Forgiveness Quotes for Kids
#1 “Forgiveness is the key to action and freedom.” — Hannah Arendt
Forgiveness liberates us to move forward.
This quote emphasizes that holding onto grudges can keep us stuck, while forgiveness unlocks the door to new opportunities, progress, and emotional freedom. When we forgive, we let go of past burdens and empower ourselves to take positive action.
It teaches children that forgiveness is not about ignoring wrongs but about freeing themselves from negativity so they can continue to grow.
Journal Prompt: Write about a time you forgave someone and how it made you feel.
#2 “Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.” — Oscar Wilde
Forgiveness can be powerful and unexpected.
Oscar Wilde humorously points out that forgiveness is sometimes the best response to conflict because it removes the power of negativity. When you forgive, you show strength and rise above the situation, rather than letting anger control you.
It helps children understand that choosing kindness and peace can be more effective than reacting with anger or revenge.
Journal Prompt: How can choosing to forgive make you feel better in the long run?
#3 “Forgiveness is the final form of love.” — Reinhold Niebuhr
True love includes forgiveness.
This quote suggests that love is not just about kindness and affection—it also involves the ability to forgive. To truly love someone means accepting their imperfections and choosing to forgive when mistakes are made.
It teaches children that love is not just about happiness, but also about patience and understanding.
Journal Prompt: What does love mean to you, and how is forgiveness a part of it?
#4 “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” — Mahatma Gandhi
Forgiveness requires great strength.
Gandhi reminds us that it takes real courage to forgive. Holding onto anger is easy, but letting go and moving forward requires inner strength. Strong people know that forgiveness does not mean forgetting—it means choosing peace over resentment.
It encourages children to view forgiveness as a sign of strength rather than weakness.
Journal Prompt: How can you practice being strong by choosing forgiveness?
#5 “Forgiveness is a funny thing. It warms the heart and cools the sting.” — William Arthur Ward
Forgiveness heals both the heart and mind.
This quote highlights how forgiveness has a double effect—it makes us feel better and helps us move past pain. When we forgive, it soothes our emotions and allows us to heal.
It helps children understand that forgiveness benefits them just as much as the person they forgive.
Journal Prompt: What are some ways you can let go of a negative feeling?
#6 “It’s one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, to forgive. Forgive everybody.” — Maya Angelou
Forgiveness is a gift for yourself.
Maya Angelou teaches that forgiveness is not just something we do for others—it is a gift to ourselves. Holding onto anger can weigh us down, but when we forgive, we free ourselves from that burden.
It encourages kids to see forgiveness as a way to take care of themselves and their happiness.
Journal Prompt: What do you think Maya Angelou means by calling forgiveness a “gift”?
#7 “Forgiveness is the economy of the heart… forgiveness saves the expense of anger, the cost of hatred, the waste of spirits.” — Hannah More
Forgiveness saves us from wasting energy on anger.
This quote explains that anger and hatred are costly—not in money, but in emotional well-being. Forgiveness, on the other hand, allows us to move on without wasting our energy on negativity.
It helps children understand that anger can take a toll on their happiness, and that forgiveness is a way to protect their own emotional health.
Journal Prompt: What does it mean to “waste” your emotions on anger?
Check Out Capybara-Theme Daily Reflection Journals For Kids!
#8 “The act of forgiveness takes place in our own mind. It really has nothing to do with the other person.” — Louise Hay
Forgiveness is about finding peace within yourself.
This quote teaches that forgiveness is not about the other person—it is about our own mindset. We don’t need someone to apologize in order to move on; we can choose to forgive for our own peace of mind.
It helps children understand that forgiveness is a personal choice and doesn’t always depend on the other person saying sorry.
Journal Prompt: How can forgiveness help you feel more at peace?
#9 “Forgiveness says you are given another chance to make a new beginning.” — Desmond Tutu
Forgiveness allows for fresh starts.
This quote explains that forgiveness is about new beginnings. It gives people a second chance and the opportunity to heal and move forward without carrying the weight of past mistakes.
It teaches children that everyone makes mistakes and that offering second chances can lead to growth and understanding.
Journal Prompt: Why is it important to let go of the past and start fresh?
#10 “Mistakes are always forgivable if one has the courage to admit them.” — Bruce Lee
Admitting mistakes leads to forgiveness.
This quote emphasizes that forgiveness is possible when people take responsibility for their actions. Owning up to mistakes requires courage, but it makes it easier for others to forgive us.
It teaches honesty, responsibility, and the value of making amends.
Journal Prompt: Why does it take courage to say, “I was wrong”?
#11 “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” — Lewis B. Smedes
Forgiveness frees the person who forgives.
This quote explains that when we hold onto anger, we trap ourselves in negativity. Forgiving someone is like unlocking a door—we free ourselves from resentment and allow ourselves to be at peace.
It helps children understand that forgiveness benefits the forgiver just as much as the person being forgiven.
Journal Prompt: Have you ever felt “trapped” by anger? How did it feel?
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Ways to Use These Quotes
- Forgiveness Reflection Journals: After reading a forgiveness quote for kids, encourage children to write about a time they felt hurt and how they forgave someone—or how they might want to forgive in the future. This activity helps kids reflect on the power of forgiveness and think about how it feels to let go of anger.
- Forgiveness Role-Play: Use a forgiveness quote for kids to start a role-playing activity where kids practice asking for forgiveness and forgiving others. This can help them develop empathy and understand the process of resolving conflicts in a healthy way.
- Forgiveness Discussion: Share a forgiveness quote for kids with the class or family and ask kids to discuss what forgiveness means to them. Encourage them to share examples from their lives where they forgave someone or were forgiven.
- Forgiveness Pledge: After reading a forgiveness quote for kids, have kids write a “forgiveness pledge” where they promise to let go of grudges and forgive others. They can hang their pledge in their room or classroom as a reminder to practice forgiveness.
- Forgiveness Craft: Create a craft where kids decorate a “forgiveness card” they can give to someone they need to forgive, or use it as a reminder to practice forgiveness in their daily lives. Include a forgiveness quote for kids to inspire the craft.
- Forgiveness Meditation: Lead kids in a brief meditation where they think about someone they need to forgive. Share a forgiveness quote for kids during the session to guide them in releasing negative emotions and embracing forgiveness.
Additional Resources
Forgiveness Books For Kids
- Early Elementary Children (Ages 3-6)
- Lower Elementary Children (Ages 7-9)
- Upper Elementary Children (Ages 9-11)
Forgiveness Activities For Kids
- Forgiveness Tree: Create a “forgiveness tree” where kids write down times they forgave someone on leaves and attach them to a tree poster or board. This helps them visualize how forgiveness helps them grow emotionally and shows that letting go of hurt makes space for positive feelings.
- Forgiveness Meditation: Lead a short meditation where kids close their eyes and focus on a time when they were hurt. Encourage them to imagine forgiving that person and letting go of the anger, using a forgiveness quote for kids to guide them through the process.
- Forgiveness Letter Writing: Have kids write a letter to someone they need to forgive (or a letter to themselves for self-forgiveness). They can express how they feel and then let go of the negative emotions, even if they don’t send the letter. Share a forgiveness quote for kids to inspire this activity and show how forgiveness can be healing.
- Forgiveness in Action: Have kids practice forgiving in small, everyday situations. For example, if a friend accidentally hurts their feelings, they can practice using kind words or actions to forgive, rather than holding a grudge. Share a forgiveness quote for kids as a reminder of the power of forgiveness.
More Ideas For Parents & Caregivers
- Forgiveness Conversation: Set aside time each week to discuss how everyone in the family handles hurt feelings and forgiveness. Use a forgiveness quote for kids to start the conversation and help children feel safe discussing their emotions.
- Forgiveness in the Home: Encourage children to practice forgiveness by setting an example of how to apologize and forgive in your family. Share forgiveness quotes for kids regularly as a reminder that no one is perfect, but everyone deserves a second chance.
- Forgiveness Games: Play a game where each family member shares a time they were forgiven or forgave someone. This helps normalize forgiveness and makes it an ongoing part of family life.
What’s Your Favorite Forgiveness Quote?
Forgiveness is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves and others. The forgiveness quotes for kids shared today remind us that, even though it may be difficult, forgiving is a powerful way to heal and build stronger relationships. By learning to forgive, we can let go of anger, create peace, and become kinder and more understanding individuals. Let’s continue to practice forgiveness in our daily lives, teaching kids that letting go of hurt allows love and joy to flow freely.
What is your favorite Forgiveness Quote from the post, or do you have another? Share it by tagging me on Instagram @LittleYellowStarTeaches. I would love to see!
Bye for now,
Prima from LittleYellowStar
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