--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It may be infinitely worse to refuse to…" description: "\"It may be infinitely worse to refuse to forgive than to murder, because\" — George MacDonald" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/86b/george-macdonald-295_forgive_it-may-be-infinitely-worse-to-refuse-to_258459.png" --- # It may be infinitely worse to refuse to forgive than to… ![“It may be infinitely worse to refuse to forgive than to murder, because” quote by George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/86b/george-macdonald-295_forgive_it-may-be-infinitely-worse-to-refuse-to_258459.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/86b/george-macdonald-295_forgive_it-may-be-infinitely-worse-to-refuse-to_258459.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/86b/george-macdonald-295_forgive_it-may-be-infinitely-worse-to-refuse-to_258459.png) > “It may be infinitely worse to refuse to forgive than to murder, because” [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. Refusing to forgive can be morally worse than committing murder. **In simple terms:** Not forgiving may be worse than killing. Key Takeaway Choose forgiveness over resentment. Themes ethics forgiveness humanity Mood somber reflective Type moral philosophical When to use this quote - conflict mediation - personal relationships - restorative justice Key Concepts moral philosophy psychology of anger Questions to Reflect On - What prevents you from forgiving? - Can forgiveness coexist with accountability? A Different Perspective Forgiveness is difficult and may seem unjust. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Forgive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgive/) [Forgive Murder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgive-murder-1654392/) [Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) [Forgiving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiving/) [Infinitely Worse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/infinitely-worse-261758/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Murder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/murder/) [Refuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/refuse/) [Refuse Forgive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/refuse-forgive-1212173/) [Worse Refuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worse-refuse-2553274/) ## Related quotes > [I forgive those who murder and steal because they did it out of necessity, but a traitor never.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emiliano-zapata/i-forgive-those-who-murder-and-steal-because-they-did-it-out-of/) [Emiliano Zapata](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emiliano-zapata/) > [It is unfortunate that in most cases when the sins of the father fall on the son it is because unlike God, people refuse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-unfortunate-that-in-most-cases-when-the-sins-of-the-father-fall/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Spiritual Murder It may be an infinitely less evil to murder a man than to refuse to forgive him. The former may be the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/spiritual-murder-it-may-be-an-infinitely-less-evil-to-murder-a-man/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [It may be an infinitely less evil to murder a man than to refuse to forgive him. The former may be the act of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/it-may-be-an-infinitely-less-evil-to-murder-a-man-than-to-refuse-to/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [Why were a few, or a single one, made at all, if only to exist in order to be made eternally miserable, which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/immanuel-kant/why-were-a-few-or-a-single-one-made-at-all-if-only-to-exist-in-order/) [Immanuel Kant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/immanuel-kant/) > [To generalize onàwomenàis dangerous. To specialize on them is infinitely worse'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mazher-mazher50/to-generalize-on-women-is-dangerous-to-specialize-on-them-is-2/) [Mazher (@mazher50](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mazher-mazher50/) > [False conclusions which have been reasoned out are infinitely worse than blind impulse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/false-conclusions-which-have-been-reasoned-out-are-infinitely-worse/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) > [“The endless tasks of surviving had become infinitely worse.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annette-oppenlander/the-endless-tasks-of-surviving-had-become-infinitely-worse/) [Annette Oppenlander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annette-oppenlander/) > [To generalize on women is dangerous. To specialize in them is infinitely worse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudolph-valentino/to-generalize-on-women-is-dangerous-to-specialize-in-them-is/) [Rudolph Valentino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudolph-valentino/) > [A State infinitely worse than that which the most inflamed Zealot, the most violent Republican or Enthusiast even pretended to dread before the Rebellion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-inglis/a-state-infinitely-worse-than-that-which-the-most-inflamed-zealot-the/) [Charles Inglis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-inglis/) > [In the long run, not doing what's necessary to do the thing you're afraid will hurt you, hurts infinitely worse than doing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-murray/in-the-long-run-not-doing-what-s-necessary-to-do-the-thing-you-re/) [Nick Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-murray/) > [Worldly pleasures, such as flow from greatness, riches, honours, and sensual gratifications, are infinitely worse than none](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brainerd/worldly-pleasures-such-as-flow-from-greatness-riches-honours-and/) [David Brainerd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brainerd/) > [It is bad to believe you in error. It would be infinitely worse to have known you a hypocrite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/it-is-bad-to-believe-you-in-error-it-would-be-infinitely-worse-to/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [“Few suffer more than those who refuse to forgive themselves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-norton/few-suffer-more-than-those-who-refuse-to-forgive-themselves/) [Mike Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-norton/) > [You refuse to forgive people, and yet on the Day of Judgment you will stand bare, begging Allah to forgive you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yasmin-mogahed/you-refuse-to-forgive-people-and-yet-on-the-day-of-judgment-you-will/) [Yasmin Mogahed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yasmin-mogahed/) ## 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 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](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/) > [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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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 ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgive/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It may be infinitely worse to refuse to forgive than to murder, because", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "George MacDonald" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/it-may-be-infinitely-worse-to-refuse-to-forgive-than-to-murder-because/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Forgive" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/it-may-be-infinitely-worse-to-refuse-to-forgive-than-to-murder-because/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/86b/george-macdonald-295_forgive_it-may-be-infinitely-worse-to-refuse-to_258459.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/86b/george-macdonald-295_forgive_it-may-be-infinitely-worse-to-refuse-to_258459.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/86b/george-macdonald-295_forgive_it-may-be-infinitely-worse-to-refuse-to_258459.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It may be infinitely worse to refuse to forgive than to murder, because” — George MacDonald", "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": "George MacDonald", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It may be infinitely worse to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/it-may-be-infinitely-worse-to-refuse-to-forgive-than-to-murder-because/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/it-may-be-infinitely-worse-to-refuse-to-forgive-than-to-murder-because/#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 } } ] } ```