--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Forgiveness is an act of the will, and…" description: "\"Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.\" — Corrie Ten Boom" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77e/corrie-ten-boom-1733_forgiveness_forgiveness-is-an-act-of-the-will-and-th_1747496.png" --- # Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can… ![“Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.” quote by Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77e/corrie-ten-boom-1733_forgiveness_forgiveness-is-an-act-of-the-will-and-th_1747496.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77e/corrie-ten-boom-1733_forgiveness_forgiveness-is-an-act-of-the-will-and-th_1747496.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77e/corrie-ten-boom-1733_forgiveness_forgiveness-is-an-act-of-the-will-and-th_1747496.png) > “Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.” [Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Forgiveness is a deliberate choice of the will, independent of emotional warmth or coldness. **In simple terms:** Forgiveness is a willful act, not feeling‑based. Key Takeaway Choose forgiveness consciously. Themes forgiveness willpower emotions Mood reflective serene Type ethical psychological When to use this quote - conflict resolution - personal healing - relationship repair - therapy sessions Key Concepts moral agency psychology spirituality Questions to Reflect On - What does it mean to willfully forgive? - Can forgiveness be genuine without feeling? A Different Perspective May be difficult when emotions are intense. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) [Forgiveness Act](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness-act-829798/) [Function](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/function/) [Function Regardless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/function-regardless-1575354/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Regardless Temperature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regardless-temperature-1575353/) [Temperature Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/temperature-heart-1575352/) ## Related quotes > [My heart/ is whatever temperature a heart is/ in a man who doesn't believe in heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-hicok/my-heart-is-whatever-temperature-a-heart-is-in-a-man-who-doesn-t/) [Bob Hicok](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-hicok/) > [Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart" "It is not my ability,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/forgiveness-is-an-act-of-the-will-and-the-will-can-function/) [Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/) > [Forgiveness is the act of admitting we are like other people. We are prone to make mistakes that cause confusion, inflict pain, and miscommunicate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-baldwin/forgiveness-is-the-act-of-admitting-we-are-like-other-people-we-are/) [Christina Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-baldwin/) > [Forgiveness is the act of admitting we are like other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-baldwin/forgiveness-is-the-act-of-admitting-we-are-like-other-people/) [Christina Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-baldwin/) > [Forgetting is something that time takes care of, but forgiveness is an act of volition, and only the sufferer is qualified to make the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-wiesenthal/forgetting-is-something-that-time-takes-care-of-but-forgiveness-is-an/) [Simon Wiesenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-wiesenthal/) > [Forgive yourself. The supreme act of forgiveness is when you can forgive yourself for all the wounds you've created in your own life. Forgiveness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-angel-ruiz/forgive-yourself-the-supreme-act-of-forgiveness-is-when-you-can/) [Miguel Angel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-angel-ruiz/) > [“Forgiveness, they shouted, all the while committing their wrongs. When he was younger, Yaw wondered why they did not preach that the people should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yaa-gyasi/forgiveness-they-shouted-all-the-while-committing-their-wrongs-when/) [Yaa Gyasi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yaa-gyasi/) > [Forgiveness is nothing more and nothing less than an act of self-healing-an act of self-empowermen t.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/forgiveness-is-nothing-more-and-nothing-less-than-an-act-of-self/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [Forgiveness is the act of freeing yourself from an obligation to think negative thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/forgiveness-is-the-act-of-freeing-yourself-from-an-obligation-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Forgiveness is first act of faith.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/forgiveness-is-first-act-of-faith/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [The act of forgiveness is the act of returning to present time. And that's why when one has become a forgiving person, and has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/the-act-of-forgiveness-is-the-act-of-returning-to-present-time-and/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) > [But forgiveness is the act of not putting anyone out of your heart, even those who are acting out of deep ignorance or out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/but-forgiveness-is-the-act-of-not-putting-anyone-out-of-your-heart/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [Forgiveness is an act of self-love and respect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-angel-ruiz/forgiveness-is-an-act-of-self-love-and-respect/) [Miguel Angel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-angel-ruiz/) > [Forgiveness is an act of admitting we are like other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-perri/forgiveness-is-an-act-of-admitting-we-are-like-other-people/) [Christina Perri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-perri/) > [Forgiveness should be an act, but this is a state with him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-bowen/forgiveness-should-be-an-act-but-this-is-a-state-with-him/) [Elizabeth Bowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-bowen/) ## More by Corrie Ten Boom > [A man is powerful on his knees.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/a-man-is-powerful-on-his-knees/) [Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/) > [Only Heaven will reveal the top part of God's tapestry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/only-heaven-will-reveal-the-top-part-of-god-s-tapestry/) [Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/) > [For I bring not a religion... but a Person, who loves people, who died for them on the cross. For Jesus died for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/for-i-bring-not-a-religion-but-a-person-who-loves-people-who-died-for/) [Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/) > [To pray only when in peril is to use safety belts only in heavy traffic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/to-pray-only-when-in-peril-is-to-use-safety-belts-only-in-heavy/) [Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/) > [What wings are to a bird, and sails to a ship, so is prayer to the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/what-wings-are-to-a-bird-and-sails-to-a-ship-so-is-prayer-to-the-soul/) [Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/) > [“And so I learned that love is larger than the walls that shut it in”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/and-so-i-learned-that-love-is-larger-than-the-walls-that-shut-it-in/) [Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/) > [There is an ocean of Gods love available-there is plenty for everyone. May God grant you never to doubt that victorious love-whatever the circumstances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/there-is-an-ocean-of-gods-love-available-there-is-plenty-for-everyone/) [Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/) > [I looked on Jesus and the dove of peace entered my heart. I looked at the dove of peace; and lo...off he went.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/i-looked-on-jesus-and-the-dove-of-peace-entered-my-heart-i-looked-at/) [Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/) > [If God has called you, do not spend time looking over your shoulder to see who is following you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/if-god-has-called-you-do-not-spend-time-looking-over-your-shoulder-to/) [Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/) > [When I try, I fail. When I trust, He succeeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/when-i-try-i-fail-when-i-trust-he-succeeds/) [Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/) > [Memories are the key not to the past, but to the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/memories-are-the-key-not-to-the-past-but-to-the-future/) [Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/) > [“You say we could lose our lives for this child. I would consider that the greatest honor that could come to my family.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/you-say-we-could-lose-our-lives-for-this-child-i-would-consider-that/) [Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/) > [If all things are possible with God, then all things are possible to him who believes in Him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/if-all-things-are-possible-with-god-then-all-things-are-possible-to/) [Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/) > [... God uses such seemingly insignificant ways to prepare us for the plan He has for our lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/god-uses-such-seemingly-insignificant-ways-to-prepare-us-for-the-plan/) [Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/) > [No matter how deep our darkness, he is deeper still.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/no-matter-how-deep-our-darkness-he-is-deeper-still/) [Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/) [Explore all 210 Corrie Ten Boom quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/) ## More Forgiveness quotes > [“Lord I come before you, I repent all my sins; forgive me. I repent on behalf of my children forgive them Lord. Help them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euginia-herlihy/lord-i-come-before-you-i-repent-all-my-sins-forgive-me-i-repent-on/) [Euginia Herlihy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euginia-herlihy/) > [Forgiveness is not saying, What you did to me is okay. It is saying, Im not going to let what you did to me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/forgiveness-is-not-saying-what-you-did-to-me-is-okay-it-is-saying-im/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [“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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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/) > [A Real Boyfriend does the sweetest things randomly because he never wants her to feel unappreciated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enhance-dreams/a-real-boyfriend-does-the-sweetest-things-randomly-because-he-never/) [Enhance Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enhance-dreams/) > [“(Evil people) do not believe in forgiveness. Their transgressions are either punished or not punished. That is the only result that matters.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-mchugh/evil-people-do-not-believe-in-forgiveness-their-transgressions-are/) [Daniel McHugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-mchugh/) > [Friendship means understanding, not argument. it means forgiveness, not forgetting. it means the memories last, even if contact is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sokhom/friendship-means-understanding-not-argument-it-means-forgiveness-not/) [Sokhom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sokhom/) > [Grace is the wonderful spirit that imbues every fiber of our being when we practice the fruits of the spirit: kindness, patience, understanding, forgiveness,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-cayce/grace-is-the-wonderful-spirit-that-imbues-every-fiber-of-our-being/) [Edgar Cayce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-cayce/) > [One of the most basic principles for making and keeping peace within and between nations. . . is that in political, military, moral, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/one-of-the-most-basic-principles-for-making-and-keeping-peace-within/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [“Have an open mind and heart. Learn to journey in understanding and forgiveness. It's not always going to be easy but it will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-elle/have-an-open-mind-and-heart-learn-to-journey-in-understanding-and/) [Alexandra Elle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-elle/) > [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/) > [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/) [Browse all 8,311 Forgiveness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Corrie Ten Boom" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/forgiveness-is-an-act-of-the-will-and-the-will-can-function-2/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Forgiveness" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/forgiveness-is-an-act-of-the-will-and-the-will-can-function-2/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77e/corrie-ten-boom-1733_forgiveness_forgiveness-is-an-act-of-the-will-and-th_1747496.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77e/corrie-ten-boom-1733_forgiveness_forgiveness-is-an-act-of-the-will-and-th_1747496.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77e/corrie-ten-boom-1733_forgiveness_forgiveness-is-an-act-of-the-will-and-th_1747496.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.” — Corrie Ten Boom", "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": "Corrie Ten Boom", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Forgiveness is an act of the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/forgiveness-is-an-act-of-the-will-and-the-will-can-function-2/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/forgiveness-is-an-act-of-the-will-and-the-will-can-function-2/#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 } } ] } ```