---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: While it takes at least two to reconcile…"
description: "\"While it takes at least two to reconcile, it only takes one to forgive.\" — Bill Johnson"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3bf/bill-johnson-1147_forgive_while-it-takes-at-least-two-to-reconcile_446381.png"
---

#  While it takes at least two to reconcile, it only takes…

![“While it takes at least two to reconcile, it only takes one to forgive.” quote by Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3bf/bill-johnson-1147_forgive_while-it-takes-at-least-two-to-reconcile_446381.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3bf/bill-johnson-1147_forgive_while-it-takes-at-least-two-to-reconcile_446381.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3bf/bill-johnson-1147_forgive_while-it-takes-at-least-two-to-reconcile_446381.png)

> “While it takes at least two to reconcile, it only takes one to forgive.”

[Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Reconciliation needs two parties, but forgiveness can be given by one person alone.

**In simple terms:** Forgiveness is a solo act, reconciliation needs two.

Key Takeaway

Offer forgiveness without waiting for the other.

Themes

forgiveness relationships conflict resolution

Mood

reflective hopeful

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

- marriage disputes
- family arguments
- friendship fallout
- workplace conflict

Key Concepts

empathy personal responsibility

Questions to Reflect On

- Can you forgive without expecting reconciliation?
- What holds you back from forgiving?

A Different Perspective

Forgiveness may not change the other’s behavior.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) [Forgiving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiving/)

## Related quotes

> [When you forgive, some deeper, divine generosity takes you over... When you cannot forgive, you are a prisoner of the hurt done to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-o-donohue/when-you-forgive-some-deeper-divine-generosity-takes-you-over-when/)

[John O'Donohue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-o-donohue/)

> [Politicians can forgive almost anything in the way of abuse; they can forgive subversion, revolution, being contradicted, exposed as liars, even ridiculed, but they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/auberon-waugh/politicians-can-forgive-almost-anything-in-the-way-of-abuse-they-can/)

[Auberon Waugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/auberon-waugh/)

> [Life is too short to waste time harboring bad feelings about anyone. Forgive, forget, then move on!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-austin/life-is-too-short-to-waste-time-harboring-bad-feelings-about-anyone/)

[Denise Austin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-austin/)

> [Be gentle with yourself, learn to love yourself, to forgive yourself, for only as we have the right attitude toward ourselves can we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilferd-peterson/be-gentle-with-yourself-learn-to-love-yourself-to-forgive-yourself/)

[Wilferd Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilferd-peterson/)

> [“Forgiveness is the process of dropping off your emotional baggage.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-fargo/forgiveness-is-the-process-of-dropping-off-your-emotional-baggage/)

[Tim Fargo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-fargo/)

> [We must not forget; but we must forgive. Suffering often such compassion from the Jewish community. It was Jewish groups in the US who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-soros/we-must-not-forget-but-we-must-forgive-suffering-often-such/)

[George Soros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-soros/)

> [Women will forgive anything. Otherwise, the race would have died out long ago.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/women-will-forgive-anything-otherwise-the-race-would-have-died-out/)

[Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/)

> [The Bible says forgive your debtors; the world says "sue them for their dough."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-sunday/the-bible-says-forgive-your-debtors-the-world-says-sue-them-for-their/)

[Billy Sunday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-sunday/)

> [He was a lovely man in many ways. But he kept on insisting on forgiving me when there was nothing to forgive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-carter/he-was-a-lovely-man-in-many-ways-but-he-kept-on-insisting-on/)

[Angela Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-carter/)

> [The more you rejoice in your own forgiveness, the quicker you will be to forgive others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/the-more-you-rejoice-in-your-own-forgiveness-the-quicker-you-will-be/)

[Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/)

> [The most important thing about being a father is being able to forgive yourself. If you don't forgive yourself, you're not going to forgive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evander-holyfield/the-most-important-thing-about-being-a-father-is-being-able-to/)

[Evander Holyfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evander-holyfield/)

> [More courage is required to forgive than is required to take up arms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-ramos-horta/more-courage-is-required-to-forgive-than-is-required-to-take-up-arms/)

[Jose Ramos-Horta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-ramos-horta/)

> [If you can't forgive and forget, pick only one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-brault/if-you-can-t-forgive-and-forget-pick-only-one/)

[Robert Brault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-brault/)

> [Forgive yourself for not being the richest, the thinnest, the tallest, the one with the best hair. Forgive yourself for not being the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/forgive-yourself-for-not-being-the-richest-the-thinnest-the-tallest/)

[Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/)

> [Forgive us our trespasses," says Margarethe, "and get out of our way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-maguire/forgive-us-our-trespasses-says-margarethe-and-get-out-of-our-way/)

[Gregory Maguire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-maguire/)

## More by Bill Johnson

> [Christianity was never meant to be defined by its disciplines, but by its passions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/christianity-was-never-meant-to-be-defined-by-its-disciplines-but-by/)

[Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/)

> [I could not limit my values and pursuits to what makes others comfortable. Being possessed by a promise I live without options. I will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/i-could-not-limit-my-values-and-pursuits-to-what-makes-others/)

[Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/)

> [The biggest enemy to prayer is praying for something you already have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/the-biggest-enemy-to-prayer-is-praying-for-something-you-already-have/)

[Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/)

> [“Working from His presence is better than working for His presence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/working-from-his-presence-is-better-than-working-for-his-presence/)

[Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/)

> [Faith must rise beyond the recognised norm into a lifestyle that accurately represents the victorious Son of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/faith-must-rise-beyond-the-recognised-norm-into-a-lifestyle-that/)

[Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/)

> [It is unnatural for a Christian not to have an appetite for the impossible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/it-is-unnatural-for-a-christian-not-to-have-an-appetite-for-the/)

[Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/)

> [A heart of faith is anchored in the unseen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/a-heart-of-faith-is-anchored-in-the-unseen/)

[Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/)

> [“I can’t afford to live in reaction to darkness. If I do, darkness has had a role in setting the agenda for my life.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/i-can-t-afford-to-live-in-reaction-to-darkness-if-i-do-darkness-has/)

[Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/)

> [So Jesus came and modelled a lifestyle of power and purity because the power of the Spirit of God was on him. He was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/so-jesus-came-and-modelled-a-lifestyle-of-power-and-purity-because/)

[Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/)

> [“All of God’s judgments are aimed at whatever interferes with love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/all-of-god-s-judgments-are-aimed-at-whatever-interferes-with-love/)

[Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/)

> [We are not relevant when we mirror secular culture. We are relevant when we are what they long to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/we-are-not-relevant-when-we-mirror-secular-culture-we-are-relevant/)

[Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/)

> [God is better than you think. So lets change the way we think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/god-is-better-than-you-think-so-lets-change-the-way-we-think/)

[Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/)

> [“Remaining poor in spirit, combined with a first love passion for Jesus are the keys God created to anchor us to the center of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/remaining-poor-in-spirit-combined-with-a-first-love-passion-for-jesus/)

[Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/)

> [Anything you think you know about about God, that you can't find in the person of Jesus, you have reason to question.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/anything-you-think-you-know-about-about-god-that-you-can-t-find-in/)

[Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/)

> [Perfectionism is the counterfeit of excellence. Excellence is Kingdom, while perfectionism is religion. What ever you do, do it with all you might, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/perfectionism-is-the-counterfeit-of-excellence-excellence-is-kingdom/)

[Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/)

[Explore all 282 Bill Johnson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/)

## More Forgive quotes

> [“So in practicing blanket forgiveness you first assume that in any current condition of pain or discomfort there is some anger involved, even if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serge-kahili-king/so-in-practicing-blanket-forgiveness-you-first-assume-that-in-any/)

Serge Kahili King

> [Do what is given to you, and do it well, and you will have done enough...live together in the forgiveness of your sins. Forgive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-what-is-given-to-you-and-do-it-well-and-you-will-have-done-enough/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [The public, more often than not, will forgive mistakes, but it will not forgive trying to wiggle out of one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-grizzard/the-public-more-often-than-not-will-forgive-mistakes-but-it-will-not/)

[Lewis Grizzard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-grizzard/)

> [Im so sorry,i screwed up again.i didnt meant hurting you.please,forgive me,again?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/redeyeen/im-so-sorry-i-screwed-up-again-i-didnt-meant-hurting-you-please/)

Redeyeen

> [“He fell back. He had cried out so loud that even if there had been no breach in the wall, I should have heard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-barbusse/he-fell-back-he-had-cried-out-so-loud-that-even-if-there-had-been-no/)

[Henri Barbusse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-barbusse/)

> [Forgive us our trespasses," says Margarethe, "and get out of our way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-maguire/forgive-us-our-trespasses-says-margarethe-and-get-out-of-our-way/)

[Gregory Maguire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-maguire/)

> [“ving self and others is an every second of every day of every week, of every month, of every year gift that should not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sanjo-jendayi/ving-self-and-others-is-an-every-second-of-every-day-of-every-week-of/)

[Sanjo Jendayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sanjo-jendayi/)

> [Ive learned¦ that no matter how good a friend is, theyre going to hurt you every once in a while, and you must forgive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/ive-learned-that-no-matter-how-good-a-friend-is-theyre-going-to-hurt/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Forgive yourself for not being the richest, the thinnest, the tallest, the one with the best hair. Forgive yourself for not being the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/forgive-yourself-for-not-being-the-richest-the-thinnest-the-tallest/)

[Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/)

> [If you can't forgive and forget, pick only one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-brault/if-you-can-t-forgive-and-forget-pick-only-one/)

[Robert Brault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-brault/)

> [I feel people relate with your entire journey and forgive your mistakes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahul-vaidya/i-feel-people-relate-with-your-entire-journey-and-forgive-your/)

[Rahul Vaidya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahul-vaidya/)

> [More courage is required to forgive than is required to take up arms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-ramos-horta/more-courage-is-required-to-forgive-than-is-required-to-take-up-arms/)

[Jose Ramos-Horta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-ramos-horta/)

> [“The Bible says, “You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/the-bible-says-you-must-make-allowance-for-each-other-s-faults-and/)

[Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/)

> [“By choosing to forgive, you are choosing to love. By choosing to operate in love, you are choosing to operate in an unconditional state…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-watterson/by-choosing-to-forgive-you-are-choosing-to-love-by-choosing-to/)

Eric Watterson

> [The most important thing about being a father is being able to forgive yourself. If you don't forgive yourself, you're not going to forgive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evander-holyfield/the-most-important-thing-about-being-a-father-is-being-able-to/)

[Evander Holyfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evander-holyfield/)

Browse all 3,381 Forgive quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "While it takes at least two to reconcile, it only takes one to forgive.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Bill Johnson"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/while-it-takes-at-least-two-to-reconcile-it-only-takes-one-to-forgive/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Forgive"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/while-it-takes-at-least-two-to-reconcile-it-only-takes-one-to-forgive/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3bf/bill-johnson-1147_forgive_while-it-takes-at-least-two-to-reconcile_446381.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3bf/bill-johnson-1147_forgive_while-it-takes-at-least-two-to-reconcile_446381.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3bf/bill-johnson-1147_forgive_while-it-takes-at-least-two-to-reconcile_446381.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“While it takes at least two to reconcile, it only takes one to forgive.” — Bill Johnson",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Bill Johnson",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "While it takes at least two...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/while-it-takes-at-least-two-to-reconcile-it-only-takes-one-to-forgive/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/while-it-takes-at-least-two-to-reconcile-it-only-takes-one-to-forgive/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```