---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sometimes it's better to forgive and…"
description: "\"Sometimes it's better to forgive and forget. And sometimes, on the other hand, it's better to leave the friendship.\" — Natalie Portman"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd1/natalie-portman-1515_forget_sometimes-it-s-better-to-forgive-and-for_2347328.jpg"
---

#  Sometimes it's better to forgive and forget. And…

![“Sometimes it's better to forgive and forget. And sometimes, on the other hand, it's better to leave the friendship.” quote by Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd1/natalie-portman-1515_forget_sometimes-it-s-better-to-forgive-and-for_2347328.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd1/natalie-portman-1515_forget_sometimes-it-s-better-to-forgive-and-for_2347328.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd1/natalie-portman-1515_forget_sometimes-it-s-better-to-forgive-and-for_2347328.jpg)

> “Sometimes it's better to forgive and forget. And sometimes, on the other hand, it's better to leave the friendship.”

[Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote advises weighing forgiveness versus ending a friendship, recognizing both can be appropriate depending on circumstances.

**In simple terms:** Forgive or move on, choose what’s healthiest.

Key Takeaway

Assess whether to forgive or let go.

Themes

relationships forgiveness boundaries

Mood

empathetic pragmatic

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

- personal relationships
- family
- workplace
- social circles

Key Concepts

emotional intelligence conflict resolution

Questions to Reflect On

- What factors guide your decision to forgive?
- When is ending a friendship necessary?

A Different Perspective

Forgiveness isn’t always the healthiest choice.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Better Forgive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-forgive-343919/) [Better Leave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-leave-425323/) [Forget](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forget/) [Forgive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgive/) [Forgive and forget](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgive-and-forget/) [Forgive forget](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgive-forget/) [Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) [Forgiving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiving/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Hands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hands/) [Leave Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leave-friendship-2814046/) [Sometimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sometimes/)

## Related quotes

> [Sometimes it's better to forgive and forget, than to revenge and remember.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-it-s-better-to-forgive-and-forget-than-to-revenge-and/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Acquaintances we meet, enjoy, and can easily leave behind; but friendship grows deep roots.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-jackson-brown-jr/acquaintances-we-meet-enjoy-and-can-easily-leave-behind-but/)

[H. Jackson Brown, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-jackson-brown-jr/)

> [But really, the term “forgive and forget” doesn’t make sense to me. Forgiving does allow us to stop dwelling on an issue, which isn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meg-cabot/but-really-the-term-forgive-and-forget-doesn-t-make-sense-to-me/)

[Meg Cabot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meg-cabot/)

> [I know there are people who believe you should forgive and forget. For the record, I'd like to say I'm a big fan of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-grafton/i-know-there-are-people-who-believe-you-should-forgive-and-forget-for/)

[Sue Grafton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-grafton/)

> [To forgive and forget means to throw away dearly bought experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-forgive-and-forget-means-to-throw-away-dearly-bought-experience/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Some forgive and forget, more forgive and remember, most forgive and remind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-breault/some-forgive-and-forget-more-forgive-and-remember-most-forgive-and/)

[Robert Breault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-breault/)

> [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/)

> [It is unfortunate that in most cases when the sins of the father fall on the son it is because unlike God, people refuse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-unfortunate-that-in-most-cases-when-the-sins-of-the-father-fall/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Forgive and forget, but never forget to forgive. You may find a happier heart is the key to a happier life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/forgive-and-forget-but-never-forget-to-forgive-you-may-find-a-happier/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [People piss you off but its always important to forgive and forget.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bella-hadid/people-piss-you-off-but-its-always-important-to-forgive-and-forget/)

[Bella Hadid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bella-hadid/)

> [Everything is ended if you forgive and forget.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/everything-is-ended-if-you-forgive-and-forget/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [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/)

> [The more we know the better we forgive. Whoever feels deeply, feels for all who live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madame-de-stael/the-more-we-know-the-better-we-forgive-whoever-feels-deeply-feels-for/)

[Madame de Stael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madame-de-stael/)

> [“If you can't forgive and forget, then pick one and do it ...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-brault/if-you-can-t-forgive-and-forget-then-pick-one-and-do-it/)

[James Brault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-brault/)

> [People shouldn't hold grudges, it only makes things worse. Forgive and forget people, life will be much easier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/people-shouldn-t-hold-grudges-it-only-makes-things-worse-forgive-and/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

## More by Natalie Portman

> [I'm going to college. I don't care if it ruins my career. I'd rather be smart than a movie star.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/i-m-going-to-college-i-don-t-care-if-it-ruins-my-career-i-d-rather-be/)

[Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/)

> [I'd basically have trouble with any job that doesn't require me to wear silly clothes and talk in funny voices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/i-d-basically-have-trouble-with-any-job-that-doesn-t-require-me-to/)

[Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/)

> [ Even \[Donald Trump\] presence was bullying, was lurking, and was just mainly creepy. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/even-donald-trump-presence-was-bullying-was-lurking-and-was-just/)

[Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/)

> [Your relationship with your husband should be an important part of your private life, but publicly you should be able to define yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/your-relationship-with-your-husband-should-be-an-important-part-of/)

[Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/)

> [I'm not really much of a genre guy. I think that audiences don't need that anymore where you just need a very specific genre.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/i-m-not-really-much-of-a-genre-guy-i-think-that-audiences-don-t-need/)

[Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/)

> [I know a famous violinist who told me he can't compose because he knows too many pieces. So, when he starts thinking of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/i-know-a-famous-violinist-who-told-me-he-can-t-compose-because-he/)

[Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/)

> [To have to watch myself in a way that was constructively critical was really good for me because it made me a little bit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/to-have-to-watch-myself-in-a-way-that-was-constructively-critical-was/)

[Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/)

> [I am more a teenager than anyone else I know. One minute I feel really adult and the next minute I say, 'Let's play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/i-am-more-a-teenager-than-anyone-else-i-know-one-minute-i-feel-really/)

[Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/)

> [Hillary Clinton is incredibly prepared and smart on all of the issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/hillary-clinton-is-incredibly-prepared-and-smart-on-all-of-the-issues/)

[Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/)

> [Hillary Clinton has really strong plans, in terms of the economy, extending health care even further, making education more affordable, making smart gun law…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/hillary-clinton-has-really-strong-plans-in-terms-of-the-economy/)

[Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/)

> [Social networking is playing a huge role in creating awareness and mobilizing support for all kinds of common interests. What better way to use…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/social-networking-is-playing-a-huge-role-in-creating-awareness-and/)

[Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/)

> [I also feel I'm a positive role model by not putting my education on hold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/i-also-feel-i-m-a-positive-role-model-by-not-putting-my-education-on/)

[Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/)

> [I do think there is a sort of natural balance in nature between men and women, and that it's being thrown off-balance by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/i-do-think-there-is-a-sort-of-natural-balance-in-nature-between-men/)

[Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/)

> [Girls have girl/guy relationships because we are expected to be so emotional and sensitive and stuff, and sometimes you just don't feel like being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/girls-have-girl-guy-relationships-because-we-are-expected-to-be-so/)

[Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/)

> [It really wasn't my thing. It still isn't my thing, the whole science-fiction action thing. I prefer simpler, character-based movies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/it-really-wasn-t-my-thing-it-still-isn-t-my-thing-the-whole-science/)

[Natalie Portman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/)

[Explore all 233 Natalie Portman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/)

## More Forget quotes

> [I Never met her,i never talked to her,but in my whole day I am either thinking about her or trying to forget her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/subhananda/i-never-met-her-i-never-talked-to-her-but-in-my-whole-day-i-am-either/)

[Subhananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/subhananda/)

> [What people tend to forget is the journey that I had getting to Formula One. There were plenty of years where I had to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-hamilton/what-people-tend-to-forget-is-the-journey-that-i-had-getting-to/)

[Lewis Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-hamilton/)

> [Once upon a time. Ah forget it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/once-upon-a-time-ah-forget-it/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Forget the credit, they (male actors) take all the money as well. We don't get paid even one-third of what male actors get. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kangana-ranaut/forget-the-credit-they-male-actors-take-all-the-money-as-well-we-don/)

[Kangana Ranaut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kangana-ranaut/)

> [It goes to show you how we in the press so often miss the big stories that are right under our noses. There is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ebert/it-goes-to-show-you-how-we-in-the-press-so-often-miss-the-big-stories/)

[Roger Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ebert/)

> [Your memory is a monster; you forget - it doesn't. It simply files things away. It keeps things for you, or hides things from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/your-memory-is-a-monster-you-forget-it-doesn-t-it-simply-files-things/)

[John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/)

> [“Which people take the time to care for their souls, these days? I reckon not many. But...hear this: I think that maybe in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-fletcher/which-people-take-the-time-to-care-for-their-souls-these-days-i/)

[Susan Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-fletcher/)

> [The problem with people is they forget that most of the time it's the small things that count.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-niven/the-problem-with-people-is-they-forget-that-most-of-the-time-it-s-the/)

[Jennifer Niven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-niven/)

> [Remind a man of what he remembers, and you will make him forget it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/remind-a-man-of-what-he-remembers-and-you-will-make-him-forget-it/)

[Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/)

> [“So you try, and try, to move past it and forget about them, but it's like they're stuck in your head -- you can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abby-mcdonald/so-you-try-and-try-to-move-past-it-and-forget-about-them-but-it-s/)

[Abby McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abby-mcdonald/)

> [People forget that there is a big difference between coercion and persuasion. The idea that evangelism is coercive is nonsense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-dever/people-forget-that-there-is-a-big-difference-between-coercion-and/)

[Mark Dever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-dever/)

> [People are disturbed not by things but by the view they take of them. They may forget what you said, but they will never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-buechner/people-are-disturbed-not-by-things-but-by-the-view-they-take-of-them/)

[Frederick Buechner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-buechner/)

> [I don't think people will ever forget I was an 'Angel,' anymore than they'll forget Sally Field was 'The Flying Nun.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-ladd/i-don-t-think-people-will-ever-forget-i-was-an-angel-anymore-than/)

[Cheryl Ladd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-ladd/)

> [If God knows me I will never forget him](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trunxbeats/if-god-knows-me-i-will-never-forget-him/)

[Trunxbeats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trunxbeats/)

> [Our memory is a monster; you forget it - it does not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/our-memory-is-a-monster-you-forget-it-it-does-not/)

[John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/)

[Browse all 11,315 Forget quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forget/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Sometimes it's better to forgive and forget. And sometimes, on the other hand, it's better to leave the friendship.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Natalie Portman"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/sometimes-it-s-better-to-forgive-and-forget-and-sometimes-on-the/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Forget"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/sometimes-it-s-better-to-forgive-and-forget-and-sometimes-on-the/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd1/natalie-portman-1515_forget_sometimes-it-s-better-to-forgive-and-for_2347328.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd1/natalie-portman-1515_forget_sometimes-it-s-better-to-forgive-and-for_2347328.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd1/natalie-portman-1515_forget_sometimes-it-s-better-to-forgive-and-for_2347328.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Sometimes it's better to forgive and forget. And sometimes, on the other hand, it's better to leave the…” — Natalie Portman",
                "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": "Natalie Portman",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-portman/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Sometimes it's better to forgive and...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/sometimes-it-s-better-to-forgive-and-forget-and-sometimes-on-the/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-portman/sometimes-it-s-better-to-forgive-and-forget-and-sometimes-on-the/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
