--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Community as forgiveness . . . Too many…" description: "\"“Community as forgiveness . . . Too many people come into community to find something, to belong to a dynamic group, to discover a life which approache..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/165/jean-vanier-3367_community_community-as-forgiveness-too-many-people_505057.jpg" --- # Community as forgiveness . . . Too many people come into… ![“Community as forgiveness . . . Too many people come into community to find something, to belong to a dynamic group, to discover a life which approaches the ideal. If we come into community without knowing that the reason we come is to learn to forgive and be forgiven seven times seventy-seven…” quote by Jean Vanier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/165/jean-vanier-3367_community_community-as-forgiveness-too-many-people_505057.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/165/jean-vanier-3367_community_community-as-forgiveness-too-many-people_505057.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/165/jean-vanier-3367_community_community-as-forgiveness-too-many-people_505057.jpg) > ““Community as forgiveness . . . Too many people come into community to find something, to belong to a dynamic group, to discover a life which approaches the ideal. If we come into community without knowing that the reason we come is to learn to forgive and be forgiven seven times seventy-seven times, we will soon be disappointed.”” [Jean Vanier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-vanier/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Community should be entered with the purpose of learning forgiveness, not just for belonging or personal gain. **In simple terms:** Join community to learn forgiveness, not just to belong. Key Takeaway Seek forgiveness, not just belonging. Themes community forgiveness spiritual growth relationships purpose Mood reflective hopeful serene Type advice philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - church groups - support circles - online forums - conflict resolution - spiritual retreats Key Concepts Christian ethics reconciliation humility Questions to Reflect On - How can you practice forgiveness when hurt runs deep? - What does true belonging feel like? A Different Perspective Forgiveness can be difficult and may not always be reciprocated. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Community](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/community/) [Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) [Learn to forgive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learn-to-forgive/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) ## Related quotes > [Indian country is small, word gets around about how people conduct themselves when they come into your community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lily-gladstone/indian-country-is-small-word-gets-around-about-how-people-conduct/) [Lily Gladstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lily-gladstone/) > [It feels amazing obviously when you can come back and be in your community and give back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandin-cooks/it-feels-amazing-obviously-when-you-can-come-back-and-be-in-your/) [Brandin Cooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandin-cooks/) > [“We come together as a community — in our sitting room, in sacred space or in a coffee shop. We share our joy and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-gilbert/we-come-together-as-a-community-in-our-sitting-room-in-sacred-space/) Louise Gilbert > [The most powerful way we can live our lives is if we stick within the community. So when you come together as a community…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-mack/the-most-powerful-way-we-can-live-our-lives-is-if-we-stick-within-the/) [Allison Mack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-mack/) > [I am a person of faith, so I come from a community that's involved in 360,000 churches across the country, that is an institution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-miller/i-am-a-person-of-faith-so-i-come-from-a-community-that-s-involved-in/) [Donald Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-miller/) > [One definition of eternity is that we are not alone on this planet, that there are those who've gone before and those who will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-dove/one-definition-of-eternity-is-that-we-are-not-alone-on-this-planet/) [Rita Dove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-dove/) > [Sometimes you come from your community, and then you rise. It's like, okay, when do you get back rooted into your community? A lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/common/sometimes-you-come-from-your-community-and-then-you-rise-it-s-like/) [Common](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/common/) > [If you want forgiveness from people,forgive them first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunshine/if-you-want-forgiveness-from-people-forgive-them-first/) [SunShine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunshine/) > [Any time there is 'un-forgiveness' between people who love each other, there is suffering. Any time people face challenges that they really don't understand...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/any-time-there-is-un-forgiveness-between-people-who-love-each-other/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [People make mistake that's why they ask for forgiveness but people dont forgive is the one that will make mistakes .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/syed-muhd/people-make-mistake-that-s-why-they-ask-for-forgiveness-but-people/) Syed Muhd > [“By seeking forgiveness from about ten people, at different times as a part of my personal transformation effort, I realise that in those moments,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramesh-sood/by-seeking-forgiveness-from-about-ten-people-at-different-times-as-a/) [Ramesh Sood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramesh-sood/) > [Forgiveness is not something we always do for other people. Sometimes we do it for ourselves to get well and MOVE ON.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kemmy-nola/forgiveness-is-not-something-we-always-do-for-other-people-sometimes/) [Kemmy Nola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kemmy-nola/) > [In a recent interview, General Norman Schwartzkof was asked if he thought there was room for forgiveness toward the people who have harboured and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-schwarzkopf/in-a-recent-interview-general-norman-schwartzkof-was-asked-if-he/) [Norman Schwarzkopf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-schwarzkopf/) > [If you want to be forgiven, you have to extend forgiveness, even to people who aren't smart enough to ask for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/if-you-want-to-be-forgiven-you-have-to-extend-forgiveness-even-to/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) > [“I could chill the room with reasons why I would give forgiveness - to the people who had selfishly left me a wounded soul.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-tritt/i-could-chill-the-room-with-reasons-why-i-would-give-forgiveness-to/) [Travis Tritt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-tritt/) ## More by Jean Vanier > [When we start helping the weak and the poor to rise everyone will begin to change. Those who have power and riches will start…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-vanier/when-we-start-helping-the-weak-and-the-poor-to-rise-everyone-will/) [Jean Vanier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-vanier/) > [...Individualistic material progress and the desire to gain prestige by coming out on top have taken over from the sense of fellowship, compassion and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-vanier/individualistic-material-progress-and-the-desire-to-gain-prestige-by/) [Jean Vanier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-vanier/) > [To invite others to live with us is a sign that we aren't afraid, that we have a treasure of truth and of peace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-vanier/to-invite-others-to-live-with-us-is-a-sign-that-we-aren-t-afraid-that/) [Jean Vanier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-vanier/) > [People are longing to rediscover true community. We have had enough of loneliness, independence and competition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-vanier/people-are-longing-to-rediscover-true-community-we-have-had-enough-of/) [Jean Vanier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-vanier/) > [The person in misery does not need a look that judges and criticizes but a comforting presence that brings peace and hope and life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-vanier/the-person-in-misery-does-not-need-a-look-that-judges-and-criticizes/) [Jean Vanier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-vanier/) > [All of us have a secret desire to be seen as saints, heroes, martyrs. We are afraid to be children, to be ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-vanier/all-of-us-have-a-secret-desire-to-be-seen-as-saints-heroes-martyrs-we/) [Jean Vanier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-vanier/) > [To be free is to put justice, truth and service to others over and above our personal gain or our need for recognition, power,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-vanier/to-be-free-is-to-put-justice-truth-and-service-to-others-over-and/) [Jean Vanier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-vanier/) > [If we love (the poor) people, we want to identify with them and share with them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-vanier/if-we-love-the-poor-people-we-want-to-identify-with-them-and-share/) [Jean Vanier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-vanier/) > [“Sympathies and antipathies . . . Human friendships can very quickly become a club of mediocrities, enclosed in mutual flattery and approval, preventing people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-vanier/sympathies-and-antipathies-human-friendships-can-very-quickly-become/) [Jean Vanier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-vanier/) > [A community is only a community when the majority of its members are making the transition from 'the community for myself' to 'myself for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-vanier/a-community-is-only-a-community-when-the-majority-of-its-members-are/) [Jean Vanier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-vanier/) > [Each person is sacred, no matter what his or her culture, religion, handicap, or fragility. Each person is created in God’s image; each one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-vanier/each-person-is-sacred-no-matter-what-his-or-her-culture-religion/) [Jean Vanier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-vanier/) > [But let us not put our sights too high. We do not have to be saviours of the world! We are simply human beings,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-vanier/but-let-us-not-put-our-sights-too-high-we-do-not-have-to-be-saviours/) [Jean Vanier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-vanier/) > [Each human being, however small or weak, has something to bring to humanity. As we start to really get to know others, as we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-vanier/each-human-being-however-small-or-weak-has-something-to-bring-to/) [Jean Vanier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-vanier/) > [“Have patience . . . We are not the masters of our own feelings of attraction or revulsion; these come from places in ourselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-vanier/have-patience-we-are-not-the-masters-of-our-own-feelings-of/) [Jean Vanier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-vanier/) > [The people with the best sense of what is essential to a community, of what gives and maintains its spirit, are often doing very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-vanier/the-people-with-the-best-sense-of-what-is-essential-to-a-community-of/) [Jean Vanier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-vanier/) [Explore all 132 Jean Vanier quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-vanier/) ## More Community quotes > [Race is the idea that a human being is more superior than another human being, race in society grants illusional rights to mistreat each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-limn/race-is-the-idea-that-a-human-being-is-more-superior-than-another/) [Jeremy Limn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-limn/) > [But we are convinced that if we are to play a meaningful role nationally, and in the community of nations, we must be second…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikram-sarabhai/but-we-are-convinced-that-if-we-are-to-play-a-meaningful-role/) [Vikram Sarabhai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikram-sarabhai/) > [In the hearing world, I'm constantly having to lip-read and trying to understand what's going on. Sign language is so beautiful. It gives you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/in-the-hearing-world-i-m-constantly-having-to-lip-read-and-trying-to/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [The strains and stresses suffered by the individual in society are grounded in the normal functioning of that society (and of the individual!) rather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-marcuse/the-strains-and-stresses-suffered-by-the-individual-in-society-are/) [Herbert Marcuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-marcuse/) > [Hackney gets a bit of a bad rap, but it's the only place I've ever lived that felt like a community. I know my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-horgan/hackney-gets-a-bit-of-a-bad-rap-but-it-s-the-only-place-i-ve-ever/) [Sharon Horgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-horgan/) > [ The social \[media channel\] isn't about beauty contests and popularity contests. They're a distortion, a caricature of the real thing. It's about trust, connection,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umair-haque/the-social-media-channel-isn-t-about-beauty-contests-and-popularity/) [Umair Haque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umair-haque/) > [We're at a point in history were we have to become a part of the neighborhood of inhabited planets, like a neighborhood of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-mitchell/we-re-at-a-point-in-history-were-we-have-to-become-a-part-of-the/) [Edgar Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-mitchell/) > [I have to feel the audience. I enjoy that feeling of community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-gahan/i-have-to-feel-the-audience-i-enjoy-that-feeling-of-community/) [Dave Gahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-gahan/) > [It rolls off my back. Ridicule doesn't mean anything - even from people you're supposed to wear knee pads around, like the scientific community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-schultz/it-rolls-off-my-back-ridicule-doesn-t-mean-anything-even-from-people/) [Dwight Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-schultz/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [I think that most of us, anyway, read these stories that we know are not "true" because we're hungry for another kind of truth:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/i-think-that-most-of-us-anyway-read-these-stories-that-we-know-are/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [Human life consists of doing certain things ... to take part in the life of the community; to be able to talk about subjects…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amartya-sen/human-life-consists-of-doing-certain-things-to-take-part-in-the-life/) [Amartya Sen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amartya-sen/) > [Parents who are stressed or disturbed will have more difficulty in meeting their children's needs. Parents who have little support--from friends, relatives, neighbors, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-kamerman/parents-who-are-stressed-or-disturbed-will-have-more-difficulty-in/) Sheila Kamerman > [I think what was special about 'Music by Prudence' was the classic story of the title subject's life path - from being an outcast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-think-what-was-special-about-music-by-prudence-was-the-classic/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [Perhaps the greatest and least visible form of impoverishment caused by the Corporate State is the destruction of community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-a-reich/perhaps-the-greatest-and-least-visible-form-of-impoverishment-caused/) [Charles A. Reich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-a-reich/) [Browse all 13,840 Community quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/community/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Community as forgiveness . . . Too many people come into community to find something, to belong to a dynamic group, to discover a life which approaches the ideal. 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