--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is a very delicate job to forgive a…" description: "\"It is a very delicate job to forgive a man, without lowering him in his own estimation, and yours too.\" — Josh Billings" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d2/josh-billings-777_delicate_it-is-a-very-delicate-job-to-forgive-a-m_2733506.png" --- # It is a very delicate job to forgive a man, without… ![“It is a very delicate job to forgive a man, without lowering him in his own estimation, and yours too.” quote by Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d2/josh-billings-777_delicate_it-is-a-very-delicate-job-to-forgive-a-m_2733506.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d2/josh-billings-777_delicate_it-is-a-very-delicate-job-to-forgive-a-m_2733506.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d2/josh-billings-777_delicate_it-is-a-very-delicate-job-to-forgive-a-m_2733506.png) > “It is a very delicate job to forgive a man, without lowering him in his own estimation, and yours too.” [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Forgiving someone requires delicacy to preserve their self‑respect and your own integrity. **In simple terms:** Forgiveness must protect both parties’ dignity. Key Takeaway Practice respectful, balanced forgiveness. Themes forgiveness respect integrity Mood thoughtful serious Type ethical practical When to use this quote - conflict resolution - personal growth - relationships - leadership - mediation Key Concepts humility psychology ethics Questions to Reflect On - How can you forgive without diminishing self‑worth? - What boundaries maintain respect in forgiveness? A Different Perspective Forgiveness can be perceived as weakness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Delicate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/delicate/) [Delicate Job](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/delicate-job-2972726/) [Estimation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/estimation/) [Forgive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgive/) [Forgive Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgive-man-942272/) [Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) [Job Forgive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/job-forgive-2972725/) ## Related quotes > [It is God's job to forgive Osama Bin Laden. It is our job to arrange a face to face meeting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-schwarzkopf/it-is-god-s-job-to-forgive-osama-bin-laden-it-is-our-job-to-arrange-a/) [Norman Schwarzkopf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-schwarzkopf/) > [Don't always expect good things to happen. Your job is to forgive no matter what happens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-renard/don-t-always-expect-good-things-to-happen-your-job-is-to-forgive-no/) [Gary Renard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-renard/) > [“It's impossible to say a thing exactly the way it was, because what you say can never be exact, you always have to leave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/it-s-impossible-to-say-a-thing-exactly-the-way-it-was-because-what/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“But if you happen to be a man, sometime in the future, and you’ve made it this far, please remember: you will never be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/but-if-you-happen-to-be-a-man-sometime-in-the-future-and-you-ve-made/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“Learning that I could forgive my father, while realizing I did not have to let the aspects that I found unhealthy, disrespectful, and wrong…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-winsomer/learning-that-i-could-forgive-my-father-while-realizing-i-did-not/) [Neal Winsomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-winsomer/) > [I can forgive a man’s past faults, his present shortcomings, and his future failures if every minute of every day he loves me like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-williams/i-can-forgive-a-man-s-past-faults-his-present-shortcomings-and-his/) [Nicole Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-williams/) > [“It’s impossible to say a thing exactly the way it was, because what you say can never be exact, you always have to leave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/it-s-impossible-to-say-a-thing-exactly-the-way-it-was-because-what-4/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“We can forgive a man for making a useful thing as long as he does not admire it. 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If you do, you’ll only wind up being the expensive mat he wipes his nasty feet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adriana-law/never-be-so-quick-to-forgive-a-man-if-you-do-you-ll-only-wind-up/) [Adriana Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adriana-law/) > [“It's impossible to say a thing exactly the way it was, because what you say can never be exact, you always have to leave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/it-s-impossible-to-say-a-thing-exactly-the-way-it-was-because-what-3/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“It's one thing to forgive a man for his deeds against you, but it's quite another to let him go free when committing vile…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royal-wade-kimes/it-s-one-thing-to-forgive-a-man-for-his-deeds-against-you-but-it-s/) [Royal Wade Kimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royal-wade-kimes/) > [We can forgive a man for making a useful thing as long as he does not admire it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-can-forgive-a-man-for-making-a-useful-thing-as-long-as-he-does-not/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“When I get out of here, if I'm ever able to set this down, in any form, even in the form of one voice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/when-i-get-out-of-here-if-i-m-ever-able-to-set-this-down-in-any-form/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [You must learn to forgive a man when he's in love. He's always a nuisance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/you-must-learn-to-forgive-a-man-when-he-s-in-love-he-s-always-a/) [Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/) ## More by Josh Billings > [It ain't because lovers are so sensitive that they quarrel so often; it is because there is so much fun n the making up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/it-ain-t-because-lovers-are-so-sensitive-that-they-quarrel-so-often/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [Man was created a little lower than the angels and has been getting a little lower ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/man-was-created-a-little-lower-than-the-angels-and-has-been-getting-a/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [There is only one good substitute for the endearments of a sister, and that is the endearments of some other fellow's sister.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/there-is-only-one-good-substitute-for-the-endearments-of-a-sister-and/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds a man down or polishes him up depends on the stuff he's made of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/life-is-a-grindstone-and-whether-it-grinds-a-man-down-or-polishes-him/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [Its harly my dog A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/its-harly-my-dog-a-dog-is-the-only-thing-on-earth-that-loves-you-more/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [Perseverance is king.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/perseverance-is-king/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [Unless we put heart and soul into our labor we but brutify our actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/unless-we-put-heart-and-soul-into-our-labor-we-but-brutify-our-actions/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [A secret ceases to be a secret if it is once confided - it is like a dollar bill, once broken, it is never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/a-secret-ceases-to-be-a-secret-if-it-is-once-confided-it-is-like-a/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [If a man is right, he can't be too radical; if he is wrong, he can't be too conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/if-a-man-is-right-he-can-t-be-too-radical-if-he-is-wrong-he-can-t-be/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [As a general rule, if you want to get at the truth - hear both sides and believe neither.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/as-a-general-rule-if-you-want-to-get-at-the-truth-hear-both-sides-and/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [Economy is a savings-bank, into which men drop pennies, and get dollars in return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/economy-is-a-savings-bank-into-which-men-drop-pennies-and-get-dollars/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [Self-made men are most always apt to be a little too proud of the job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/self-made-men-are-most-always-apt-to-be-a-little-too-proud-of-the-job/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [Poverty is one of them kind of misfortunes that we all of us dread but none of us pity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/poverty-is-one-of-them-kind-of-misfortunes-that-we-all-of-us-dread/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [If the world despises a hypocrite, what must they think of him in heaven?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/if-the-world-despises-a-hypocrite-what-must-they-think-of-him-in/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [The man who gets bit twice by the same dog is better adapted for that kind of business than any other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/the-man-who-gets-bit-twice-by-the-same-dog-is-better-adapted-for-that/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) [Explore all 372 Josh Billings quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) ## More Delicate quotes > [Mortals are such fragile things. Just tender feelings walking around exposed in their delicate shells...Easy to crush.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-marr/mortals-are-such-fragile-things-just-tender-feelings-walking-around/) [Melissa Marr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-marr/) > [When you see how fragile and delicate life can be, all else fades into the background.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenna-morasca/when-you-see-how-fragile-and-delicate-life-can-be-all-else-fades-into/) [Jenna Morasca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenna-morasca/) > [It's my intention to make something stand outside the realm of album art, but it also feels comfortable to me to be in it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dyer-baizley/it-s-my-intention-to-make-something-stand-outside-the-realm-of-album/) [John Dyer Baizley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dyer-baizley/) > [The line between being a nurturing parent and an over-bearing, damaging parent is one that's very delicate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-wright/the-line-between-being-a-nurturing-parent-and-an-over-bearing/) [Jeffrey Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-wright/) > [Tachyon OPC+ is a natural extension of our market-winning Tachyon platform, giving customers a clear path to minimizing the OPC error budget and producing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-vaughan/tachyon-opc-is-a-natural-extension-of-our-market-winning-tachyon/) [Bill Vaughan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-vaughan/) > [Ruin, eldest daughter of Zeus, she blinds us all, that fatal madness—she with those delicate feet of hers, never touching the earth, gliding over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/ruin-eldest-daughter-of-zeus-she-blinds-us-all-that-fatal-madness-she/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [I hope the day will come when a wasp-waist and a pair of thin shoulders will not be esteemed beauty: we have had our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-mcnair-wright/i-hope-the-day-will-come-when-a-wasp-waist-and-a-pair-of-thin/) [Julia McNair Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-mcnair-wright/) > [Many persons have been confused and discouraged at the very outset of the study by the great variety and the delicate distinctions of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-staunton/many-persons-have-been-confused-and-discouraged-at-the-very-outset-of/) [Howard Staunton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-staunton/) > [To joke in the face of danger is the supreme politeness, a delicate refusal to cast oneself as a tragic hero.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmond-rostand/to-joke-in-the-face-of-danger-is-the-supreme-politeness-a-delicate/) [Edmond Rostand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmond-rostand/) > [I am a frayed and nibbled survivor in a fallen world, and I am getting along. I am aging and eaten and have done…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-dillard/i-am-a-frayed-and-nibbled-survivor-in-a-fallen-world-and-i-am-getting/) [Annie Dillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-dillard/) > [It was October again ... a glorious October, all red and gold, with mellow mornings when the valleys were filled with delicate mists as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-maud-montgomery/it-was-october-again-a-glorious-october-all-red-and-gold-with-mellow/) [Lucy Maud Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-maud-montgomery/) > [I revere the memory of Mr. F. as an estimable man and most indulgent husband, only necessary to mention Asparagus and it appeared or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-revere-the-memory-of-mr-f-as-an-estimable-man-and-most-indulgent/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [“Be quick to resolve conflicts before they mature to become wars. The energetic crocodile was once a delicate egg!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/be-quick-to-resolve-conflicts-before-they-mature-to-become-wars-the/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [...when I think of you it's with tears, because no one else has such delicate hands that can reach into my soul and calm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-i-think-of-you-it-s-with-tears-because-no-one-else-has-such/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [O most delicate fiend! Who is't can read a woman? Is there more?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/o-most-delicate-fiend-who-is-t-can-read-a-woman-is-there-more/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) [Browse all 924 Delicate quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/delicate/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is a very delicate job to forgive a man, without lowering him in his own estimation, and yours too.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Josh Billings" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/it-is-a-very-delicate-job-to-forgive-a-man-without-lowering-him-in/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Delicate" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/it-is-a-very-delicate-job-to-forgive-a-man-without-lowering-him-in/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d2/josh-billings-777_delicate_it-is-a-very-delicate-job-to-forgive-a-m_2733506.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d2/josh-billings-777_delicate_it-is-a-very-delicate-job-to-forgive-a-m_2733506.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d2/josh-billings-777_delicate_it-is-a-very-delicate-job-to-forgive-a-m_2733506.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is a very delicate job to forgive a man, without lowering him in his own estimation, and yours too.” — Josh Billings", "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": "Josh Billings", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It is a very delicate job...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/it-is-a-very-delicate-job-to-forgive-a-man-without-lowering-him-in/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/it-is-a-very-delicate-job-to-forgive-a-man-without-lowering-him-in/#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 } } ] } ```