--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Have you forgiven me?' I asked. 'How can…" description: "\"“Have you forgiven me?' I asked. 'How can I say I have, when I never had anything to forgive?' 'Well then, I must go unforgiven for I cannot forgive my..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c1/george-macdonald-295_forgiveness_have-you-forgiven-me-i-asked-how-can-i-s_2367213.png" --- # Have you forgiven me?' I asked. 'How can I say I have… ![“Have you forgiven me?' I asked. 'How can I say I have, when I never had anything to forgive?' 'Well then, I must go unforgiven for I cannot forgive myself.' I said. 'O Mrs. Percivale! If you think how the world is flooded with forgiveness, you will just dip in your cup, and take what you want.” quote by george macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c1/george-macdonald-295_forgiveness_have-you-forgiven-me-i-asked-how-can-i-s_2367213.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c1/george-macdonald-295_forgiveness_have-you-forgiven-me-i-asked-how-can-i-s_2367213.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c1/george-macdonald-295_forgiveness_have-you-forgiven-me-i-asked-how-can-i-s_2367213.png) > ““Have you forgiven me?' I asked. 'How can I say I have, when I never had anything to forgive?' 'Well then, I must go unforgiven for I cannot forgive myself.' I said. 'O Mrs. Percivale! If you think how the world is flooded with forgiveness, you will just dip in your cup, and take what you want.”” [george macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) ## 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 impossible without first acknowledging that there is nothing to forgive, leading to self‑condemnation and a paradoxical state of being unforgiven. **In simple terms:** You can’t forgive what you never did. Key Takeaway Recognize the difference between guilt and self‑acceptance. Themes forgiveness self‑acceptance paradox identity Mood reflective somber introspective Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - personal healing - conflict resolution - spiritual practice - relationship counseling Key Concepts psychology philosophy self‑compassion Questions to Reflect On - What does it mean to forgive yourself? - How does societal pressure shape our view of forgiveness? A Different Perspective Self‑forgiveness may be hindered by external expectations of repentance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Forgive Myself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgive-myself/) [Forgive Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgive-said-1780794/) [Forgive Unforgiven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgive-unforgiven-4029711/) [Forgiven Asked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiven-asked-5818013/) [Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) [Say Forgive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/say-forgive-544544/) [Unforgiven Forgive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unforgiven-forgive-5818014/) ## Related quotes > [“Your forgiveness is in response to the unbelievable and undeserved forgiveness that Christ offers you and if you don't forgive you are unforgiven Matthew 6:15”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-m-sheehan-2/your-forgiveness-is-in-response-to-the-unbelievable-and-undeserved/) [John M Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-m-sheehan-2/) > [I cant forgive myself for what I said, I cant forgive myself for what I did, but I hope you can forgive me and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-thivierge/i-cant-forgive-myself-for-what-i-said-i-cant-forgive-myself-for-what/) [Mike Thivierge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-thivierge/) > [“Kitty got up to fetch a table, and, as she passed, her eyes met Levin's. 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Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [God forgive me everything!’ she said, feeling the impossibility of struggling...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/god-forgive-me-everything-she-said-feeling-the-impossibility-of/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [“But he would understand,” he said dazedly. “If we explained it to him. If we told him…he would understand.” She made her voice as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/but-he-would-understand-he-said-dazedly-if-we-explained-it-to-him-if/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“I don't forgive him," I said. "Hell, no, you don't. And why should you? So he can feel better? Get on with his life?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/i-don-t-forgive-him-i-said-hell-no-you-don-t-and-why-should-you-so-he/) [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) > [I forgive you, but only because you said 'please.'" Smartass, I thought. Then I groaned at the instant chorus of "Please!" mixed with cries…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeaniene-frost/i-forgive-you-but-only-because-you-said-please-smartass-i-thought/) [Jeaniene Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeaniene-frost/) > [I can forgive what you said, I can forgive what you did, But forgetting what you made me feel just takes time... and being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/i-can-forgive-what-you-said-i-can-forgive-what-you-did-but-forgetting/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [Father, forgive them,' said Jesus, 'for they know not what they do' -- People of good sense whoever you may be, I will add,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eliphas-levi/father-forgive-them-said-jesus-for-they-know-not-what-they-do-people/) [Eliphas Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eliphas-levi/) > [Honestly I want to forgive you but what you said keeps replaying in my head.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/honestly-i-want-to-forgive-you-but-what-you-said-keeps-replaying-in/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“You let Mal come back for me. After you gave me your vow." "He broke away," said Tamar. I lifted a brow. The day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/you-let-mal-come-back-for-me-after-you-gave-me-your-vow-he-broke-away/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I will confess to you that, you know, one of the statements that’s been attributed to me that I’m sort of proud of is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-schwarzkopf/i-will-confess-to-you-that-you-know-one-of-the-statements-that-s-been/) [Norman Schwarzkopf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-schwarzkopf/) ## More by george macdonald > [“No revelation can be other than partial. If for true revelation a man must be told all the truth, then farewell to revelation; yea,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/no-revelation-can-be-other-than-partial-if-for-true-revelation-a-man/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [In low theologies, hell is invariably the deepest truth, and the love of God is not so deep as hell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/in-low-theologies-hell-is-invariably-the-deepest-truth-and-the-love/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [Life and religion are one, or neither is any thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/life-and-religion-are-one-or-neither-is-any-thing/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [The region belonging to the pure intellect is straitened: the imagination labours to extend its territories, to give it room. She sweeps across the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/the-region-belonging-to-the-pure-intellect-is-straitened-the/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [Come, then, affliction, if my Father wills, and be my frowning friend. A friend that frowns is better than a smiling enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/come-then-affliction-if-my-father-wills-and-be-my-frowning-friend-a/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [Ah, what is it we send up thither, where our thoughts are either a dissonance or a sweetness and a grace?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/ah-what-is-it-we-send-up-thither-where-our-thoughts-are-either-a/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [You must learn to be strong in the dark as well as in the day, else you will always be only half brave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/you-must-learn-to-be-strong-in-the-dark-as-well-as-in-the-day-else/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [“Few delights can equal the mere presence of one whom we trust utterly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/few-delights-can-equal-the-mere-presence-of-one-whom-we-trust-utterly/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [“You have tasted of death now,” said the old man. “Is it good?” “It is good,” said Mossy. “It is better than life.” “No,”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/you-have-tasted-of-death-now-said-the-old-man-is-it-good-it-is-good/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [ “I wish I had \[made that song\]. No, I don't That would be to take it from somebody else. But it's mine for all… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/i-wish-i-had-made-that-song-no-i-don-t-that-would-be-to-take-it-from/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [Past tears are present strength.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/past-tears-are-present-strength/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [Age is not all decay; it is the ripening, the swelling, of the fresh life within, that withers and bursts the husk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/age-is-not-all-decay-it-is-the-ripening-the-swelling-of-the-fresh/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [I want to help you grow as beautiful as God meant you to be when he thought of you first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/i-want-to-help-you-grow-as-beautiful-as-god-meant-you-to-be-when-he/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [“Immeasurably imperfect it was, but false the impression could not be, for she saw with the eyes made for seeing, and saw indeed what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/immeasurably-imperfect-it-was-but-false-the-impression-could-not-be/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [Those that hope little cannot grow much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/those-that-hope-little-cannot-grow-much/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) [Explore all 720 george macdonald quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) ## More Forgiveness quotes > [“Lord I come before you, I repent all my sins; forgive me. 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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": "“Have you forgiven me?' I asked. 'How can I say I have, when I never had anything to forgive?' 'Well then, I must go unforgiven for I cannot forgive myself.' I said. 'O Mrs. Percivale! 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