--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Forgiveness is the key that can unshackle…" description: "\"Forgiveness is the key that can unshackle us from a past that will not rest in the grave of things over and done with. As long as our minds are captive..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bc/lewis-b-smedes-4850_captives_forgiveness-is-the-key-that-can-unshackl_2120884.png" --- # Forgiveness is the key that can unshackle us from a past… ![“Forgiveness is the key that can unshackle us from a past that will not rest in the grave of things over and done with. As long as our minds are captive to the memory of having been wronged, they are not free to wish for reconciliation with the one who wronged us.” quote by Lewis B. Smedes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bc/lewis-b-smedes-4850_captives_forgiveness-is-the-key-that-can-unshackl_2120884.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bc/lewis-b-smedes-4850_captives_forgiveness-is-the-key-that-can-unshackl_2120884.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bc/lewis-b-smedes-4850_captives_forgiveness-is-the-key-that-can-unshackl_2120884.png) > “Forgiveness is the key that can unshackle us from a past that will not rest in the grave of things over and done with. As long as our minds are captive to the memory of having been wronged, they are not free to wish for reconciliation with the one who wronged us.” [Lewis B. Smedes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-b-smedes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Holding onto resentment traps us; forgiveness frees the mind for healing. **In simple terms:** Forgiveness releases you. Key Takeaway Let go of grudges. Themes healing freedom emotional health Mood reflective hopeful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - relationship repair - personal growth - mental health counseling - family dynamics - workplace disputes Key Concepts psychology spirituality conflict resolution Questions to Reflect On - What does forgiveness mean to you? - Can you forgive without condoning? A Different Perspective Forgiveness may be difficult if justice isn’t addressed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) [Forgiving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiving/) [Memories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memories/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Reconciliation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reconciliation/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) ## Related quotes > [I worry about fast forgivers. They tend to forgive quickly in order to avoid their pain. Or they forgive fast in order to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-b-smedes/i-worry-about-fast-forgivers-they-tend-to-forgive-quickly-in-order-to/) [Lewis B. Smedes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-b-smedes/) > [I have discovered that most people who tell me that they cannot forgive a person who wronged them are handicapped by a mistaken understanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-b-smedes/i-have-discovered-that-most-people-who-tell-me-that-they-cannot/) [Lewis B. Smedes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-b-smedes/) > [When we have been badly injured and clearly wronged, we make an instant caricature of the person who did it to us. We define…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-b-smedes/when-we-have-been-badly-injured-and-clearly-wronged-we-make-an/) [Lewis B. Smedes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-b-smedes/) > [Many people want payback and to see others suffer. Forgiveness is the key to freedom. You can choose to be enslaved and burdened or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/many-people-want-payback-and-to-see-others-suffer-forgiveness-is-the/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [Left to Tell reminds us that we are all sons and daughters of God; that with faith, miracles will always appear; and that forgiveness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colette-baron-reid-2/left-to-tell-reminds-us-that-we-are-all-sons-and-daughters-of-god/) [Colette Baron-Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colette-baron-reid-2/) > [Forgiveness is the key to happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-ferguson/forgiveness-is-the-key-to-happiness/) [Bill Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-ferguson/) > [When the mind goes off, open the heart where forgiveness is the key.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-bassam/when-the-mind-goes-off-open-the-heart-where-forgiveness-is-the-key/) [Ali Bassam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-bassam/) > [“I have come to believe that forgiveness is the key to survival. It does no good to see everything as a struggle between opposing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-holt/i-have-come-to-believe-that-forgiveness-is-the-key-to-survival-it/) Elliott Holt > [Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hatred. It is a power that breaks the chains of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/forgiveness-is-the-key-that-unlocks-the-door-of-resentment-and-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A wise one said, We are most like God when we forgive. It is easy for us to blame, but hard for us to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-lockwood-huie/a-wise-one-said-we-are-most-like-god-when-we-forgive-it-is-easy-for/) [Jonathan Lockwood Huie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-lockwood-huie/) > [Forgiveness is the key to breaking the cycle of karma and reincarnation. Forgiveness doesn't mean: "What you did was okay." It simply means, "I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doreen-virtue/forgiveness-is-the-key-to-breaking-the-cycle-of-karma-and/) [Doreen Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doreen-virtue/) > [Forgiveness is a key to opening 1 door & looking forward to the future. Forgetting is another key to a lock'd door behind you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/forgiveness-is-a-key-to-opening-1-door-looking-forward-to-the-future/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Forgiveness is the key to action and freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-arendt/forgiveness-is-the-key-to-action-and-freedom/) [Hannah Arendt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-arendt/) > [“Often what prevents us from seeing beauty in the outside world is the fact that we fail to see beauty in ourselves and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-j-ciorra/often-what-prevents-us-from-seeing-beauty-in-the-outside-world-is-the/) Anthony J Ciorra > [Forgiveness is the key to moving on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-limn/forgiveness-is-the-key-to-moving-on/) [Jeremy Limn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-limn/) ## More by Lewis B. Smedes > [Nothing is more private than a woman's body; it is her physical, emotional, and moral citadel. She cannot be free at all if she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-b-smedes/nothing-is-more-private-than-a-woman-s-body-it-is-her-physical/) [Lewis B. Smedes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-b-smedes/) > [...Forgiving is not having to understand. Understanding may come later, in fragments, an insight here and a glimpse there, after forgiving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-b-smedes/forgiving-is-not-having-to-understand-understanding-may-come-later-in/) [Lewis B. Smedes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-b-smedes/) > [The God who has the whole world in his hands has grace for the whole world in his heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-b-smedes/the-god-who-has-the-whole-world-in-his-hands-has-grace-for-the-whole/) [Lewis B. Smedes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-b-smedes/) > [Nobody sees reality whole; we all need others to show us the parts of it that they see better than we do. Nobody sees…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-b-smedes/nobody-sees-reality-whole-we-all-need-others-to-show-us-the-parts-of/) [Lewis B. Smedes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-b-smedes/) > [I have discovered that most people who tell me that they cannot forgive a person who wronged them are handicapped by a mistaken understanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-b-smedes/i-have-discovered-that-most-people-who-tell-me-that-they-cannot/) [Lewis B. Smedes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-b-smedes/) > [Spoken forgiveness, no matter how heartfelt, works best when we do not demand the response we want. I mean that when we tell people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-b-smedes/spoken-forgiveness-no-matter-how-heartfelt-works-best-when-we-do-not/) [Lewis B. Smedes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-b-smedes/) > [Forgiving does not erase the bitter past. A healed memory is not a deleted memory. Instead, forgiving what we cannot forget creates a new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-b-smedes/forgiving-does-not-erase-the-bitter-past-a-healed-memory-is-not-a/) [Lewis B. Smedes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-b-smedes/) > [We feel properly embarrassed when we are caught doing something that makes us look inept, knuckleheaded, or inappropriate. Maybe the difference is this: we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-b-smedes/we-feel-properly-embarrassed-when-we-are-caught-doing-something-that/) [Lewis B. Smedes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-b-smedes/) > [Forgiving does not erase the bitter past. A healed memory is not a deleted memory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-b-smedes/forgiving-does-not-erase-the-bitter-past-a-healed-memory-is-not-a-2/) [Lewis B. Smedes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-b-smedes/) > [When I feel the joy of receiving a gift my heart nudges me to join creation's ballet, the airy dance of giving and receiving,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-b-smedes/when-i-feel-the-joy-of-receiving-a-gift-my-heart-nudges-me-to-join/) [Lewis B. Smedes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-b-smedes/) > [Our sense of fairness tells us that people should pay for the wrong they do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-b-smedes/our-sense-of-fairness-tells-us-that-people-should-pay-for-the-wrong/) [Lewis B. Smedes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-b-smedes/) > [Gratitude is the best feeling I would ever have, the ultimate joy of living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-b-smedes/gratitude-is-the-best-feeling-i-would-ever-have-the-ultimate-joy-of/) [Lewis B. Smedes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-b-smedes/) > [My father was only thirty-one when he died of a heart attack, much too young for a father to die and leave his young…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-b-smedes/my-father-was-only-thirty-one-when-he-died-of-a-heart-attack-much-too/) [Lewis B. Smedes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-b-smedes/) > [The only way to heal the pain which will not heal itself is to forgive the person who hurt you. Forgiveness heals the memory's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-b-smedes/the-only-way-to-heal-the-pain-which-will-not-heal-itself-is-to/) [Lewis B. Smedes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-b-smedes/) > [If you cannot free people from their wrongs and see them as the needy people they are, you enslave yourself to your own painful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-b-smedes/if-you-cannot-free-people-from-their-wrongs-and-see-them-as-the-needy/) [Lewis B. Smedes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-b-smedes/) [Explore all 106 Lewis B. Smedes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-b-smedes/) ## More Captives quotes > [The creative writer is usually captive to his next book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fannie-hurst/the-creative-writer-is-usually-captive-to-his-next-book/) [Fannie Hurst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fannie-hurst/) > [People without an internalized symbolic system can all too easily become captives of the media.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi/people-without-an-internalized-symbolic-system-can-all-too-easily/) [Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi/) > [My favorite job is being a father. I have four girls now. They're a captive audience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-willis/my-favorite-job-is-being-a-father-i-have-four-girls-now-they-re-a/) [Bruce Willis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-willis/) > [We live in all we seek. The hidden shows up in too-plain sight. It lives captive on the face of the obvious - the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-dillard/we-live-in-all-we-seek-the-hidden-shows-up-in-too-plain-sight-it/) [Annie Dillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-dillard/) > [Of all the jaw-droppingly beautiful women who've become genuine movie stars, none has had a longer film career (62 years), has been filmed in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-osborne/of-all-the-jaw-droppingly-beautiful-women-who-ve-become-genuine-movie/) [Robert Osborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-osborne/) > [Make me a captive Lord, then I shall be truly free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/make-me-a-captive-lord-then-i-shall-be-truly-free/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [As long as we're dependent on those fossil fuels, we're dependent on the Middle East. If we are not victims, we're certainly captives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-m-mchugh/as-long-as-we-re-dependent-on-those-fossil-fuels-we-re-dependent-on/) [John M. McHugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-m-mchugh/) > [Jah come to break downpression, rule equality, wipe away transgression, set the captives free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-marley/jah-come-to-break-downpression-rule-equality-wipe-away-transgression/) [Bob Marley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-marley/) > [“Though the captives' resistance was dangerous, through such acts, dignity was preserved, and through dignity, life itself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-hillenbrand/though-the-captives-resistance-was-dangerous-through-such-acts/) [Laura Hillenbrand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-hillenbrand/) > [The state is captive to vested interests.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sanusi-lamido-sanusi/the-state-is-captive-to-vested-interests/) Sanusi Lamido Sanusi > [“...you go back to liberate the captives and sadly realize, some want to remain tied down in the cave...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-geddes/you-go-back-to-liberate-the-captives-and-sadly-realize-some-want-to/) [John Geddes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-geddes/) > [“So, very soon our captives will meet their small countrywoman again. How grateful they must be to have a pleasant ride, with us to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-rodda/so-very-soon-our-captives-will-meet-their-small-countrywoman-again/) [Emily Rodda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-rodda/) > [The cry for freedom is a sign of suppression. It will not cease to ring as long as man feels himself captive. As diverse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-reich/the-cry-for-freedom-is-a-sign-of-suppression-it-will-not-cease-to/) [Wilhelm Reich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-reich/) > [Words have to murder reality before they can hold it captive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-de-beauvoir/words-have-to-murder-reality-before-they-can-hold-it-captive/) [Simone de Beauvoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-de-beauvoir/) > [It would drive the photographers crazy because I would giggle and tell jokes. I was gregarious, and looking back, I realize I had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/it-would-drive-the-photographers-crazy-because-i-would-giggle-and/) [Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) Browse all 176 Captives quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Forgiveness is the key that can unshackle us from a past that will not rest in the grave of things over and done with. As long as our minds are captive to the memory of having been wronged, they are not free to wish for reconciliation with the one who wronged us.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Lewis B. 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