--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Forgiveness is like a great act of…" description: "\"Forgiveness is like a great act of compassion. That it was done not because someone deserved it, but because they needed it.\" — Joss Whedon" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/joss-whedon-480_compassion_forgiveness-is-like-a-great-act-of-compa_2535471.png" --- # Forgiveness is like a great act of compassion. That it was… ![“Forgiveness is like a great act of compassion. That it was done not because someone deserved it, but because they needed it.” quote by Joss Whedon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/joss-whedon-480_compassion_forgiveness-is-like-a-great-act-of-compa_2535471.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/joss-whedon-480_compassion_forgiveness-is-like-a-great-act-of-compa_2535471.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/joss-whedon-480_compassion_forgiveness-is-like-a-great-act-of-compa_2535471.png) > “Forgiveness is like a great act of compassion. That it was done not because someone deserved it, but because they needed it.” [Joss Whedon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joss-whedon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Compassionate forgiveness is given for the recipient's need, not their merit **In simple terms:** Forgiveness as compassion, not reward Key Takeaway Give forgiveness to heal, not to judge Themes compassion forgiveness healing Mood reflective empathetic Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - family conflict resolution - personal growth - therapy sessions Key Concepts moral psychology empathy ethical choice Questions to Reflect On - When have you forgiven without expecting merit? - How does compassion change the act of forgiving? A Different Perspective Forgiveness may be exploited if not paired with boundaries ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) ## Related quotes > [“Forgiveness is like an olive tree, mistress. Once it takes root, it will grow, and it’s hard to kill.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mesu-andrews/forgiveness-is-like-an-olive-tree-mistress-once-it-takes-root-it-will/) [Mesu Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mesu-andrews/) > [Living life without forgiveness is like drinking poison, and waiting for the other person to die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/living-life-without-forgiveness-is-like-drinking-poison-and-waiting/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Even a small act of compassion grants meaning and purpose to our lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/even-a-small-act-of-compassion-grants-meaning-and-purpose-to-our-lives/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [Making choices that improve things for all of us on the planet is an act of compassion, a simple act we can do any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/making-choices-that-improve-things-for-all-of-us-on-the-planet-is-an/) [Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/) > [One simple act of kindness to another can mean more than words will ever say. At times in like may we be the givers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-simple-act-of-kindness-to-another-can-mean-more-than-words-will/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The smallest act of compassion can save a soul, perhaps your own.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kramer/the-smallest-act-of-compassion-can-save-a-soul-perhaps-your-own/) [John Kramer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kramer/) > [Can you imagine if you really let it in that you are not a problem to be solved in any way? Imagine you knew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adyashanti/can-you-imagine-if-you-really-let-it-in-that-you-are-not-a-problem-to/) [Adyashanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adyashanti/) > [To forgive is an act of compassion, Buffy. It's not done because people deserve it. It's done because they need it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-giles/to-forgive-is-an-act-of-compassion-buffy-it-s-not-done-because-people/) [Rupert Giles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-giles/) > [I would rather feel compassion than know the meaning of it. I would hope to act with compassion without thinking of personal gain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/i-would-rather-feel-compassion-than-know-the-meaning-of-it-i-would/) [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) > [There is no such thing as a simple act of compassion or an inconsequential act of service. Everything we do for another person has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-simple-act-of-compassion-or-an/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) > [“Compassion forms the essential bond between seeking God in meditation and all forms of social justice. For the more we are transformed in compassion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-finley/compassion-forms-the-essential-bond-between-seeking-god-in-meditation/) [James Finley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-finley/) > [The act of compassion begins with full attention, just as rapport does. You have to really see the person. If you see the person,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/the-act-of-compassion-begins-with-full-attention-just-as-rapport-does/) [Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/) > [“When we let ourselves feel the fear, the discontent, the difficulties we have always avoided, our heart softens. Just as it is a courageous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/when-we-let-ourselves-feel-the-fear-the-discontent-the-difficulties/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [Un-forgiveness is like cancer; it eats you from the inside out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-johnson/un-forgiveness-is-like-cancer-it-eats-you-from-the-inside-out/) [Mary Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-johnson/) > [“The practice of forgiveness is very much like the practice of meditation. You have to do it often and persist at it in order…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katerina-stoykova-klemer/the-practice-of-forgiveness-is-very-much-like-the-practice-of/) [Katerina Stoykova Klemer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katerina-stoykova-klemer/) ## More by Joss Whedon > [I do remember what I said. The promise. To protect her. If I'd done that ... even if I didn't make it, you wouldn't've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joss-whedon/i-do-remember-what-i-said-the-promise-to-protect-her-if-i-d-done-that/) [Joss Whedon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joss-whedon/) > [Every vampire fiction reinvents vampires to its own needs. You take what you want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joss-whedon/every-vampire-fiction-reinvents-vampires-to-its-own-needs-you-take/) [Joss Whedon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joss-whedon/) > [When you're making a film, you have an obligation to fill the frame with life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joss-whedon/when-you-re-making-a-film-you-have-an-obligation-to-fill-the-frame/) [Joss Whedon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joss-whedon/) > [Everything we do really is just a little marker on the long road to death. And sometimes that’s overwhelmingly depressing to me, and sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joss-whedon/everything-we-do-really-is-just-a-little-marker-on-the-long-road-to/) [Joss Whedon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joss-whedon/) > [At the end of the day I have many answers for it. It has to do with my mom, who was an extraordinary woman,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joss-whedon/at-the-end-of-the-day-i-have-many-answers-for-it-it-has-to-do-with-my/) [Joss Whedon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joss-whedon/) > [“Why aren’t you asking a hundred other guys why they don’t write strong women characters? I believe that what I’m doing should not be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joss-whedon/why-aren-t-you-asking-a-hundred-other-guys-why-they-don-t-write/) [Joss Whedon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joss-whedon/) > [People feel removed from sexism. 'I'm not a sexist, but I'm not a feminist.' They think there's this fuzzy middle ground. There's no fuzzy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joss-whedon/people-feel-removed-from-sexism-i-m-not-a-sexist-but-i-m-not-a/) [Joss Whedon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joss-whedon/) > [Even in the darkness, every color can be found. And every day of rain brings water flowing to things growing in the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joss-whedon/even-in-the-darkness-every-color-can-be-found-and-every-day-of-rain/) [Joss Whedon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joss-whedon/) > [I never tire of the heroes that I knew growing up. The fun is not that much different from doing a television show: You're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joss-whedon/i-never-tire-of-the-heroes-that-i-knew-growing-up-the-fun-is-not-that/) [Joss Whedon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joss-whedon/) > [Don't just be yourself. Be all of your selves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joss-whedon/don-t-just-be-yourself-be-all-of-your-selves/) [Joss Whedon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joss-whedon/) > [I always watch what I say. I am what I say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joss-whedon/i-always-watch-what-i-say-i-am-what-i-say/) [Joss Whedon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joss-whedon/) > [Remember to always be yourself. Unless you suck.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joss-whedon/remember-to-always-be-yourself-unless-you-suck/) [Joss Whedon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joss-whedon/) > [I've become less cynical, which is appalling but kind of cool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joss-whedon/i-ve-become-less-cynical-which-is-appalling-but-kind-of-cool/) [Joss Whedon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joss-whedon/) > [“Xander: It could be witches, some evil witches, which is ridiculous cause witched they were persecuted, women power, love the eatrh, and I'll be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joss-whedon/xander-it-could-be-witches-some-evil-witches-which-is-ridiculous/) [Joss Whedon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joss-whedon/) > [There's a lot of anger in the Twitter-verse, as I've discovered. But there's a lot of love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joss-whedon/there-s-a-lot-of-anger-in-the-twitter-verse-as-i-ve-discovered-but/) [Joss Whedon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joss-whedon/) [Explore all 529 Joss Whedon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joss-whedon/) ## More Compassion quotes > [Half the misery of human life might be extinguished if men would alleviate the general curse they lie under by mutual offices of compassion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/half-the-misery-of-human-life-might-be-extinguished-if-men-would/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [“I fight with love and kindness as my weapons and compassion as my defense.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debasish-mridha/i-fight-with-love-and-kindness-as-my-weapons-and-compassion-as-my/) [Debasish Mridha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debasish-mridha/) > [I really enjoy making people laugh; I've discovered that's a great technique. That's as powerful as stirring their sorrow, stirring their compassion, because that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/i-really-enjoy-making-people-laugh-i-ve-discovered-that-s-a-great/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [“If you refuse to use physical force, then you will be at the mercy of your oppressor!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/segun-magbagbeola/if-you-refuse-to-use-physical-force-then-you-will-be-at-the-mercy-of/) Segun Magbagbeola > [For some reason, we are truly convinced that if we criticize ourselves, the criticism will lead to change. If we are harsh, we believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/for-some-reason-we-are-truly-convinced-that-if-we-criticize-ourselves/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [I could not have slept tonight if I had left that helpless little creature to perish on the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-could-not-have-slept-tonight-if-i-had-left-that-helpless-little/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [We are puzzled and bewildered whenever we see suffering in this world because we have become accustomed to the mercy and the long-suffering of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/we-are-puzzled-and-bewildered-whenever-we-see-suffering-in-this-world/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [“Helpers in every corner, helpers in every hood. That's how we'll make the move, to reform from rude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/helpers-in-every-corner-helpers-in-every-hood-that-s-how-we-ll-make/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [There are a number of qualities which are important for mental peace, but from the little experience I have, I believe that one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/there-are-a-number-of-qualities-which-are-important-for-mental-peace/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [May the gods have mercy on whoever pisses them off, because Zarek and Jericho will have none for them. (Madoc) You’d better be glad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/may-the-gods-have-mercy-on-whoever-pisses-them-off-because-zarek-and/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [When you need empathy, you cannot give empathy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/when-you-need-empathy-you-cannot-give-empathy/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [But victimhood was seductive, a release from responsibility and caring. Fear would be transmuted into weary resignation; failure would no longer generate guilt but,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/but-victimhood-was-seductive-a-release-from-responsibility-and-caring/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“No one has any right to tell you that the way you perceive yourself is wrong. Because by doing so, they also discourage the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamand-kojouri/no-one-has-any-right-to-tell-you-that-the-way-you-perceive-yourself/) [Kamand Kojouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamand-kojouri/) > [“la ilaha ilallah muhammadun rasulullah, alaihi salatullah wa alihi wal ahibba "shine your mercy like the sun, and be gracious as the earth let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/talib-al-habib/la-ilaha-ilallah-muhammadun-rasulullah-alaihi-salatullah-wa-alihi-wal/) Talib al Habib > [The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-darwin/the-love-for-all-living-creatures-is-the-most-noble-attribute-of-man/) [Charles Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-darwin/) [Browse all 9,892 Compassion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Forgiveness is like a great act of compassion. 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