--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think the hardest thing in life is to…" description: "\"I think the hardest thing in life is to forgive. Hate is self destructive. If you hate somebody, you're not hurting the person you hate, you're hurting..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/184/louis-zamperini-15600_forgiveness_i-think-the-hardest-thing-in-life-is-to_2917286.png" --- # I think the hardest thing in life is to forgive. Hate is… ![“I think the hardest thing in life is to forgive. Hate is self destructive. If you hate somebody, you're not hurting the person you hate, you're hurting yourself. It's a healing, actually, it's a real healing...forgiveness.” quote by Louis Zamperini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/184/louis-zamperini-15600_forgiveness_i-think-the-hardest-thing-in-life-is-to_2917286.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/184/louis-zamperini-15600_forgiveness_i-think-the-hardest-thing-in-life-is-to_2917286.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/184/louis-zamperini-15600_forgiveness_i-think-the-hardest-thing-in-life-is-to_2917286.png) > “I think the hardest thing in life is to forgive. Hate is self destructive. If you hate somebody, you're not hurting the person you hate, you're hurting yourself. It's a healing, actually, it's a real healing...forgiveness.” [Louis Zamperini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-zamperini/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Forgiveness frees the self from the corrosive effects of hatred, turning pain into personal healing. **In simple terms:** Letting go of hate heals you. Key Takeaway Choose forgiveness over resentment. Themes forgiveness self‑care emotional health Mood reflective hopeful Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - relationship conflict - personal trauma - stress management Key Concepts psychology personal growth Questions to Reflect On - What holds you back from forgiving? - How does hatred affect your wellbeing? A Different Perspective Forgiveness can be difficult without genuine remorse. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) [Forgiving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiving/) [Hate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hate/) [Hate Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hate-self/) [Hatred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hatred/) [Healing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/healing/) [Hurting yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hurting-yourself/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Person You Hate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/person-you-hate/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self destructive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-destructive/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [Hate is self-destructive. If you hate somebody, you're not hurting the person you hate. You're hurting yourself. And that's a healing. Actually, it's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-zamperini/hate-is-self-destructive-if-you-hate-somebody-you-re-not-hurting-the/) [Louis Zamperini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-zamperini/) > [It is wiser to forgive than to hate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-wiser-to-forgive-than-to-hate/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Isn't it easier to forgive than to hate? Until we learn how to forgive, that sort of thing is going to keep on happening."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-eddings/isn-t-it-easier-to-forgive-than-to-hate-until-we-learn-how-to-forgive/) [David Eddings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-eddings/) > [“You cannot forget someone you love, You cannot forgive someone you still hate!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-haditaghi/you-cannot-forget-someone-you-love-you-cannot-forgive-someone-you/) Alex Haditaghi > [“Think before you speak. Forgive before you hate. Learn before you teach. Understand before you judge.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/think-before-you-speak-forgive-before-you-hate-learn-before-you-teach/) [Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/) > [Women can never forgive me; they hate me, they feel that I am disarming them. I show them without their coquetry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-degas/women-can-never-forgive-me-they-hate-me-they-feel-that-i-am-disarming/) [Edgar Degas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-degas/) > [Isn't it easier to forgive than to hate? -Eriond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-eddings/isn-t-it-easier-to-forgive-than-to-hate-eriond/) [David Eddings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-eddings/) > [One of the hardest things in life to accept is a called third strike.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-frost/one-of-the-hardest-things-in-life-to-accept-is-a-called-third-strike/) [Robert Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-frost/) > [I think the hardest thing in life is when we see those we love turn down a wrong path, and when no entreaty will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-think-the-hardest-thing-in-life-is-when-we-see-those-we-love-turn/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [One if the hardest things in life to learn are which bridges to cross and which bridges to burn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/one-if-the-hardest-things-in-life-to-learn-are-which-bridges-to-cross/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [The hardest things in life are done the least but provide the most.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-plitt/the-hardest-things-in-life-are-done-the-least-but-provide-the-most/) [Greg Plitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-plitt/) > [Making it look easy is the hardest thing in the world to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-ban-breathnach/making-it-look-easy-is-the-hardest-thing-in-the-world-to-do/) [Sarah Ban Breathnach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-ban-breathnach/) > [Do you know what is the hardest thing in life? To make a choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/do-you-know-what-is-the-hardest-thing-in-life-to-make-a-choice/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [“I don’t know if it’s possible to take hate away from people. Not even people like us, who’ve seen firsthand what hate can do.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-brown/i-don-t-know-if-it-s-possible-to-take-hate-away-from-people-not-even/) [Jennifer Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-brown/) > [One of the hardest things in life to realize is that the person you love could never love you like you love them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-of-the-hardest-things-in-life-to-realize-is-that-the-person-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Louis Zamperini > [If you can take it, you can make it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-zamperini/if-you-can-take-it-you-can-make-it/) [Louis Zamperini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-zamperini/) > [Self-esteem can’t win you a race if you’re not in shape.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-zamperini/self-esteem-can-t-win-you-a-race-if-you-re-not-in-shape/) [Louis Zamperini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-zamperini/) > [Someone who doesn't make the (Olympic) team might weep and collapse. In my day no one fell on the track and cried like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-zamperini/someone-who-doesn-t-make-the-olympic-team-might-weep-and-collapse-in/) [Louis Zamperini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-zamperini/) > [The kids started teasing me to get me to swear in Italian. Two or three months, I started retaliating. I found out I could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-zamperini/the-kids-started-teasing-me-to-get-me-to-swear-in-italian-two-or/) [Louis Zamperini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-zamperini/) > [To live, a man needs food, water, and a sharp mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-zamperini/to-live-a-man-needs-food-water-and-a-sharp-mind/) [Louis Zamperini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-zamperini/) > [You have to reach deep within yourself to see if you are willing to make the sacrifices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-zamperini/you-have-to-reach-deep-within-yourself-to-see-if-you-are-willing-to/) [Louis Zamperini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-zamperini/) > [Pain is that last quarter of a mile. You feel it, but when you’re through racing, your whole body just feels elated. So the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-zamperini/pain-is-that-last-quarter-of-a-mile-you-feel-it-but-when-you-re/) [Louis Zamperini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-zamperini/) > [The great commandment is that we preach the gospel to every creature, but neither God nor the Bible says anything about forcing it down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-zamperini/the-great-commandment-is-that-we-preach-the-gospel-to-every-creature/) [Louis Zamperini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-zamperini/) > [Even at my age, I'm trying to improve. Never give up, no matter what. Even if you get last place - finish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-zamperini/even-at-my-age-i-m-trying-to-improve-never-give-up-no-matter-what/) [Louis Zamperini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-zamperini/) > [To persevere, I think, is important for everybody. Don't give up, don't give in. There's always an answer to everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-zamperini/to-persevere-i-think-is-important-for-everybody-don-t-give-up-don-t/) [Louis Zamperini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-zamperini/) > [Never give up, no matter what.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-zamperini/never-give-up-no-matter-what/) [Louis Zamperini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-zamperini/) > [Yet a part of you still believes you can fight and survive no matter what your mind knows. It's not so strange. Where there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-zamperini/yet-a-part-of-you-still-believes-you-can-fight-and-survive-no-matter/) [Louis Zamperini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-zamperini/) > [The world, we'd discovered, doesn't love you like your family loves you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-zamperini/the-world-we-d-discovered-doesn-t-love-you-like-your-family-loves-you/) [Louis Zamperini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-zamperini/) > [I've got to say that is - the highest emotion of the human experience is going down in a plane knowing your going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-zamperini/i-ve-got-to-say-that-is-the-highest-emotion-of-the-human-experience/) [Louis Zamperini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-zamperini/) > [However dark the night, however dim our hopes, the light will always follow darkness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-zamperini/however-dark-the-night-however-dim-our-hopes-the-light-will-always/) [Louis Zamperini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-zamperini/) [Explore all 42 Louis Zamperini quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-zamperini/) ## More Forgiveness quotes > [“Lord I come before you, I repent all my sins; forgive me. I repent on behalf of my children forgive them Lord. Help them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euginia-herlihy/lord-i-come-before-you-i-repent-all-my-sins-forgive-me-i-repent-on/) [Euginia Herlihy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euginia-herlihy/) > [Forgiveness is not saying, What you did to me is okay. It is saying, Im not going to let what you did to me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/forgiveness-is-not-saying-what-you-did-to-me-is-okay-it-is-saying-im/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [“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 > [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/) > [A Real Boyfriend does the sweetest things randomly because he never wants her to feel unappreciated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enhance-dreams/a-real-boyfriend-does-the-sweetest-things-randomly-because-he-never/) Enhance Dreams > [“(Evil people) do not believe in forgiveness. Their transgressions are either punished or not punished. That is the only result that matters.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-mchugh/evil-people-do-not-believe-in-forgiveness-their-transgressions-are/) [Daniel McHugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-mchugh/) > [Friendship means understanding, not argument. it means forgiveness, not forgetting. it means the memories last, even if contact is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sokhom/friendship-means-understanding-not-argument-it-means-forgiveness-not/) [Sokhom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sokhom/) > [Grace is the wonderful spirit that imbues every fiber of our being when we practice the fruits of the spirit: kindness, patience, understanding, forgiveness,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-cayce/grace-is-the-wonderful-spirit-that-imbues-every-fiber-of-our-being/) [Edgar Cayce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-cayce/) > [One of the most basic principles for making and keeping peace within and between nations. . . is that in political, military, moral, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/one-of-the-most-basic-principles-for-making-and-keeping-peace-within/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [“Have an open mind and heart. Learn to journey in understanding and forgiveness. It's not always going to be easy but it will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-elle/have-an-open-mind-and-heart-learn-to-journey-in-understanding-and/) [Alexandra Elle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-elle/) > [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/) > [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/) [Browse all 8,311 Forgiveness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think the hardest thing in life is to forgive. Hate is self destructive. If you hate somebody, you're not hurting the person you hate, you're hurting yourself. 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