--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The good man's past begins to change so…" description: "\"The good man's past begins to change so that his forgiven sins and remembered sorrows take on the quality of Heaven.\" — C. S. Lewis" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ee/c-s-lewis-2-132_forgiven_the-good-man-s-past-begins-to-change-so_657256.png" --- # The good man's past begins to change so that his forgiven… ![“The good man's past begins to change so that his forgiven sins and remembered sorrows take on the quality of Heaven.” quote by C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ee/c-s-lewis-2-132_forgiven_the-good-man-s-past-begins-to-change-so_657256.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ee/c-s-lewis-2-132_forgiven_the-good-man-s-past-begins-to-change-so_657256.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ee/c-s-lewis-2-132_forgiven_the-good-man-s-past-begins-to-change-so_657256.png) > “The good man's past begins to change so that his forgiven sins and remembered sorrows take on the quality of Heaven.” [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The past of a good person transforms, turning forgiven sins and remembered sorrows into a heavenly quality. **In simple terms:** Past deeds become heavenly when forgiven. Key Takeaway Embrace forgiveness to uplift your past. Themes redemption spirituality transformation Mood contemplative hopeful Type spiritual philosophical When to use this quote - personal growth - spiritual healing - reflection - overcoming guilt Key Concepts Theology moral philosophy Questions to Reflect On - How does forgiveness change your perception of past mistakes? - Can sorrow become a source of peace? A Different Perspective Even forgiven sins can linger as burden. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) [Good man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-man/) [Great divorce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-divorce/) [Heaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Quality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quality/) [Sin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sin/) [Sorrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sorrow/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Nymph, in thy orisons be all my sins remembered!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/nymph-in-thy-orisons-be-all-my-sins-remembered/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [All I know is that I'm a sinner and that God has forgiven me of my sins. Because I put my faith and trust…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-graham/all-i-know-is-that-i-m-a-sinner-and-that-god-has-forgiven-me-of-my/) [Franklin Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-graham/) > [“God cannot remember forgiven sins.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alin-sav/god-cannot-remember-forgiven-sins/) [Alin Sav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alin-sav/) > [“Sin can’t be forgiven because it is not an act; you can only be forgiven for the sins you commit, not for a heredity.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/sin-can-t-be-forgiven-because-it-is-not-an-act-you-can-only-be/) [Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/) > [God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. So to confess is to breathe in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vonette-bright/god-is-faithful-and-just-to-forgive-us-our-sins-and-to-cleanse-us/) [Vonette Bright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vonette-bright/) > [One of the great benefits of organised religion is that you can be forgiven your sins, which must be a wonderful thing. I mean,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kingsley-amis/one-of-the-great-benefits-of-organised-religion-is-that-you-can-be/) [Kingsley Amis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kingsley-amis/) > [It's against God's nature to remember forgiven sins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/it-s-against-god-s-nature-to-remember-forgiven-sins/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [One of those poor fellows that had become a Christian was badgered by his companions; and one of them said, "How do you know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bartholomew-gough/one-of-those-poor-fellows-that-had-become-a-christian-was-badgered-by/) [John Bartholomew Gough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bartholomew-gough/) > [I have never got a grip on when the past begins or where it ends, but if cities map the past with statues made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-levy/i-have-never-got-a-grip-on-when-the-past-begins-or-where-it-ends-but/) [Deborah Levy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-levy/) > [“That time when past begins to look longer than the future”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whipplesnaith/that-time-when-past-begins-to-look-longer-than-the-future/) [Whipplesnaith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/whipplesnaith/) > [There have been men before now who got so interested in proving the existence of God that they came to care nothing for God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/there-have-been-men-before-now-who-got-so-interested-in-proving-the/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [I think earth, if chosen instead of Heaven, will turn out to have been, all along, only a region in Hell; and earth, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/i-think-earth-if-chosen-instead-of-heaven-will-turn-out-to-have-been/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [Every poet and musician and artist, but for grace">Grace, is drawn away from love of the thing he tells to love of the telling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/every-poet-and-musician-and-artist-but-for-grace-grace-is-drawn-away/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [I gave in, and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed: perhaps, that night, the most dejected and reluctant convert in all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/i-gave-in-and-admitted-that-god-was-god-and-knelt-and-prayed-perhaps/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/all-that-are-in-hell-choose-it-without-that-self-choice-there-could/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) ## More by C. S. Lewis > [One of our great allies at present is the Church itself. Do not misunderstand me. I do not mean the Church as we see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/one-of-our-great-allies-at-present-is-the-church-itself-do-not/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [Either Jesus is the Son of God ; or a madman or worse. But His being just a great teacher? He's not left that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/either-jesus-is-the-son-of-god-or-a-madman-or-worse-but-his-being/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [To every soul, God will look like its first love because He IS its first love. Your place in heaven will seem to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/to-every-soul-god-will-look-like-its-first-love-because-he-is-its/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [Don't you understand anything? Isn't it absolutely essential to keep a fierce Left and a fierce Right, both on their toes and each terrified…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/don-t-you-understand-anything-isn-t-it-absolutely-essential-to-keep-a/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [“Really great moral teachers never do introduce new moralities: it is quacks and cranks who do that. As”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/really-great-moral-teachers-never-do-introduce-new-moralities-it-is/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [“When He died in the Wounded World He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/when-he-died-in-the-wounded-world-he-died-not-for-men-but-for-each/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [All I am in private life is a literary critic and historian, that's my job...And I'm prepared to say on that basis if anyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/all-i-am-in-private-life-is-a-literary-critic-and-historian-that-s-my/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [If a man is going to write on chemistry, he learns chemistry. The same is true of Christianity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/if-a-man-is-going-to-write-on-chemistry-he-learns-chemistry-the-same/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [The first fact in the history of Christendom is a number of people who say they have seen the Resurrection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/the-first-fact-in-the-history-of-christendom-is-a-number-of-people/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [I#pray because the need flows out of me all the time-walking and sleeping. It does not change # God - it changes me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/i-pray-because-the-need-flows-out-of-me-all-the-time-walking-and/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [Are the gods not just?' 'Oh no, child. What would become us us if they were?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/are-the-gods-not-just-oh-no-child-what-would-become-us-us-if-they-were/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [Love is more than an emotion, it is a decision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/love-is-more-than-an-emotion-it-is-a-decision/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [Ink is the great cure for all human ills.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/ink-is-the-great-cure-for-all-human-ills/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [A man may have to die for our country: but no man must, in any exclusive sense, live for his country. He who surrenders…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/a-man-may-have-to-die-for-our-country-but-no-man-must-in-any/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [War creates no absolutely new situation: it simply aggravates the permanent human situation so that we can no longer ignore it. Human life has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/war-creates-no-absolutely-new-situation-it-simply-aggravates-the/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) [Explore all 1,190 C. S. Lewis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) ## More Forgiven quotes > [You'd be forgiven for thinking that climate change means we'll have to sacrifice our creature comforts. But it doesn't have to be that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-lynas/you-d-be-forgiven-for-thinking-that-climate-change-means-we-ll-have/) [Mark Lynas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-lynas/) > [To forgive and to be forgiven are the two points of holy magnificence and holy modesty; round these two centres the whole doctrine of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-williams/to-forgive-and-to-be-forgiven-are-the-two-points-of-holy-magnificence/) [Charles Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-williams/) > [Without being forgiven, released from the consequences of what we have done, our capacity to act would, as it were, be confined to one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-arendt/without-being-forgiven-released-from-the-consequences-of-what-we-have/) [Hannah Arendt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-arendt/) > [The Tao is the center of the universe, the good man's treasure, the bad man's refuge. Honors can be bought with fine words, respect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-is-the-center-of-the-universe-the-good-man-s-treasure-the-bad/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The incorruptible things are all within the narrow gate. The peace of God which passed all understanding - the bright hope of good things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-incorruptible-things-are-all-within-the-narrow-gate-the-peace-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The thing that awakens the deepest fountain of gratitude in a human being is that God has forgiven his sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/the-thing-that-awakens-the-deepest-fountain-of-gratitude-in-a-human/) [Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/) > [I have forgiven all the old actors for dying. A new one comes on with the same lines, like large white growths, in his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-sexton/i-have-forgiven-all-the-old-actors-for-dying-a-new-one-comes-on-with/) [Anne Sexton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-sexton/) > [How could one comfort a disturbed person? He is already assailed with doubts about his faith. He would have to despair with such a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-f-w-walther/how-could-one-comfort-a-disturbed-person-he-is-already-assailed-with/) [C. F. W. Walther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-f-w-walther/) > [“Maybe it’s about who can do what to whom and be forgiven for it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/maybe-it-s-about-who-can-do-what-to-whom-and-be-forgiven-for-it/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [Make your past to be forgiven in peace. Forget thy heart breaking moments you had to go through. God will heal you out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bigheartedperson/make-your-past-to-be-forgiven-in-peace-forget-thy-heart-breaking/) BigHeartedPerson > [It is by forgiving that one is forgiven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/it-is-by-forgiving-that-one-is-forgiven/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [“To Graduate from the "School of Life" you need to have met the following criteria: Found your life purpose, know how the egoic mind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marina-g-roussou/to-graduate-from-the-school-of-life-you-need-to-have-met-the/) [Marina G. Roussou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marina-g-roussou/) > [I'm washed, I'm forgiven, I'm whole, and I'm healed. I'm cleansed and I'm glory bound. I am only a sojourner on the earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myles-munroe/i-m-washed-i-m-forgiven-i-m-whole-and-i-m-healed-i-m-cleansed-and-i-m/) [Myles Munroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/myles-munroe/) > [“Some enemies are not worthy of being forgiven, even if they are forgiven a million times.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fahad-basheer/some-enemies-are-not-worthy-of-being-forgiven-even-if-they-are/) [Fahad Basheer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fahad-basheer/) > [“Nobody's perfect, Horace. But you're forgiven for assuming.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-sanders/nobody-s-perfect-horace-but-you-re-forgiven-for-assuming/) Ted Sanders Browse all 785 Forgiven quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The good man's past begins to change so that his forgiven sins and remembered sorrows take on the quality of Heaven.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "C. S. Lewis" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/the-good-man-s-past-begins-to-change-so-that-his-forgiven-sins-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Forgiven" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/the-good-man-s-past-begins-to-change-so-that-his-forgiven-sins-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ee/c-s-lewis-2-132_forgiven_the-good-man-s-past-begins-to-change-so_657256.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ee/c-s-lewis-2-132_forgiven_the-good-man-s-past-begins-to-change-so_657256.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ee/c-s-lewis-2-132_forgiven_the-good-man-s-past-begins-to-change-so_657256.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The good man's past begins to change so that his forgiven sins and remembered sorrows take on the quality of…” — C. S. Lewis", "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": "C. S. Lewis", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The good man's past begins to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/the-good-man-s-past-begins-to-change-so-that-his-forgiven-sins-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/the-good-man-s-past-begins-to-change-so-that-his-forgiven-sins-and/#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 } } ] } ```