--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The only way to peace is forgiveness." description: "\"The only way to peace is forgiveness.\" — Pope John Paul II" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b86/pope-john-paul-ii-485_forgiveness_the-only-way-to-peace-is-forgiveness-104_1046734.jpg" --- # The only way to peace is forgiveness. ![“The only way to peace is forgiveness.” quote by Pope John Paul II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b86/pope-john-paul-ii-485_forgiveness_the-only-way-to-peace-is-forgiveness-104_1046734.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b86/pope-john-paul-ii-485_forgiveness_the-only-way-to-peace-is-forgiveness-104_1046734.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b86/pope-john-paul-ii-485_forgiveness_the-only-way-to-peace-is-forgiveness-104_1046734.jpg) > “The only way to peace is forgiveness.” [Pope John Paul II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-paul-ii/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Peace is achieved through the act of forgiving, which heals individuals and societies. **In simple terms:** Forgiveness leads to peace. Key Takeaway Practice forgiveness to foster peace. Themes peace forgiveness reconciliation spirituality humanity Mood hopeful reflective Type ethical inspirational When to use this quote - personal relationships - community disputes - international diplomacy Key Concepts ethical transformation conflict resolution moral responsibility Questions to Reflect On - Can forgiveness coexist with accountability? - What steps help cultivate forgiveness? A Different Perspective Forgiveness may be difficult when justice is also sought. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Peace Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace-forgiveness-220624/) [Simple life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/simple-life/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Way Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way-peace-578859/) ## Related quotes > [There is no peace without forgiveness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/there-is-no-peace-without-forgiveness/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [Forgiveness is not to give the other person peace. Forgiveness is for you. Take that opportunity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mackenzie-phillips/forgiveness-is-not-to-give-the-other-person-peace-forgiveness-is-for/) [Mackenzie Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mackenzie-phillips/) > [“Sometimes we carry unhappy feelings about past hurts too long. We spend too much energy dwelling on things that have passed and cannot be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-e-faust/sometimes-we-carry-unhappy-feelings-about-past-hurts-too-long-we/) [James E. Faust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-e-faust/) > [Forgiveness is not always easy. At times, it feels more painful than the wound we suffered, to forgive the one that inflicted it. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/forgiveness-is-not-always-easy-at-times-it-feels-more-painful-than/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [ The advocate of religious freedom is to expect neither peace nor forgiveness from \[the clergy\]. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-advocate-of-religious-freedom-is-to-expect-neither-peace-nor/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [This restored church stands as a symbol of peace and forgiveness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eberhard-burger/this-restored-church-stands-as-a-symbol-of-peace-and-forgiveness/) [Eberhard Burger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eberhard-burger/) > [“This quote is not original to me but is a hard sure way to peace and forgiveness: Stones in a pouch rub each other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-b-mack/this-quote-is-not-original-to-me-but-is-a-hard-sure-way-to-peace-and/) [Donna B. Mack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-b-mack/) > [It is gratifying to note how scriptural words like justice, peace, forgiveness have become the lingua franca of the peace process,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-brady/it-is-gratifying-to-note-how-scriptural-words-like-justice-peace/) [Sean Brady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-brady/) > [Not judging people is the fastest way to peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-jackson/not-judging-people-is-the-fastest-way-to-peace/) [Jonathan Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-jackson/) > [Peace should be understood in a human way - in a broad social, political and economic way. Peace is threatened by unjust economic, social…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-yunus/peace-should-be-understood-in-a-human-way-in-a-broad-social-political/) [Muhammad Yunus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-yunus/) > [You don't kill your way to peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/imran-khan/you-don-t-kill-your-way-to-peace/) [Imran Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/imran-khan/) > [We have to believe that a creative being lives within ourselves, whether we like it or not, and that we must get out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-caroline-richards/we-have-to-believe-that-a-creative-being-lives-within-ourselves/) [Mary Caroline Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-caroline-richards/) > [The best way to have peace is to always be prepared to fight a way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/the-best-way-to-have-peace-is-to-always-be-prepared-to-fight-a-way/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [The Only Way To Have Peace is To Teach Peach… ¥](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-way-to-have-peace-is-to-teach-peach/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [This is the way of peace: Overcome evil with good, falsehood with truth, and hatred with love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peace-pilgrim/this-is-the-way-of-peace-overcome-evil-with-good-falsehood-with-truth/) [Peace Pilgrim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peace-pilgrim/) ## More by Pope John Paul II > [the path of goodness had a name it is called Love in it we find the key to every hope and has it's root…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-paul-ii/the-path-of-goodness-had-a-name-it-is-called-love-in-it-we-find-the/) [Pope John Paul II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-paul-ii/) > [Man always travels along precipices... His truest obligation is to keep his balance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-paul-ii/man-always-travels-along-precipices-his-truest-obligation-is-to-keep/) [Pope John Paul II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-paul-ii/) > [The way Jesus shows you is not easy. Rather, it is like a path winding up a mountain. Do not lose heart! The steeper…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-paul-ii/the-way-jesus-shows-you-is-not-easy-rather-it-is-like-a-path-winding/) [Pope John Paul II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-paul-ii/) > [The Church must persist in the teaching transmitted to her by Christ.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-paul-ii/the-church-must-persist-in-the-teaching-transmitted-to-her-by-christ/) [Pope John Paul II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-paul-ii/) > [And Christ, through His own salvific suffering, is very much present in every human suffering, and can act from within that suffering by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-paul-ii/and-christ-through-his-own-salvific-suffering-is-very-much-present-in/) [Pope John Paul II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-paul-ii/) > [“What is the difference between “creator” and “craftsman”? The one who creates bestows being itself, he brings something out of nothing— ex nihilo sui…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-paul-ii/what-is-the-difference-between-creator-and-craftsman-the-one-who/) [Pope John Paul II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-paul-ii/) > [The enemy of the human race...invented a means never before heard of, by which he might hinder the preaching of God's word of Salvation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-paul-ii/the-enemy-of-the-human-race-invented-a-means-never-before-heard-of-by/) [Pope John Paul II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-paul-ii/) > [Jesus Christ has taken the lead on the way of the cross. He has suffered first. He does not drive us toward suffering but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-paul-ii/jesus-christ-has-taken-the-lead-on-the-way-of-the-cross-he-has/) [Pope John Paul II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-paul-ii/) > [Do you think that there can be anything greater than to bring Jesus to people and people to Jesus?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-paul-ii/do-you-think-that-there-can-be-anything-greater-than-to-bring-jesus/) [Pope John Paul II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-paul-ii/) > [Do not be afraid to be saints. Follow Jesus Christ who is the source of freedom and light. Be open to the Lord so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-paul-ii/do-not-be-afraid-to-be-saints-follow-jesus-christ-who-is-the-source/) [Pope John Paul II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-paul-ii/) > [Utilitarianism is a civilization of production and of use, a civilization of "things" and not of "persons," a civilization in which persons are used…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-paul-ii/utilitarianism-is-a-civilization-of-production-and-of-use-a/) [Pope John Paul II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-paul-ii/) > [ The world \[is\] tired of ideology \[and\] is opening itself to the truth. The time has come when the splendor of this truth has… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-paul-ii/the-world-is-tired-of-ideology-and-is-opening-itself-to-the-truth-the/) [Pope John Paul II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-paul-ii/) > [The only struggle which religions can justify, the only struggle worthy of humans, is the moral struggle against humanity's own disordered passions, against every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-paul-ii/the-only-struggle-which-religions-can-justify-the-only-struggle/) [Pope John Paul II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-paul-ii/) > [The cemetery of the victims of human cruelty in our century is extended to include yet another vast cemetery, that of the unborn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-paul-ii/the-cemetery-of-the-victims-of-human-cruelty-in-our-century-is/) [Pope John Paul II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-paul-ii/) > [The Church counters the culture of death with the culture of love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-paul-ii/the-church-counters-the-culture-of-death-with-the-culture-of-love/) [Pope John Paul II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-paul-ii/) [Explore all 525 Pope John Paul II quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-paul-ii/) ## 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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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": "The only way to peace is forgiveness.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Pope John Paul II" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-paul-ii/the-only-way-to-peace-is-forgiveness/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Forgiveness" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-paul-ii/the-only-way-to-peace-is-forgiveness/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b86/pope-john-paul-ii-485_forgiveness_the-only-way-to-peace-is-forgiveness-104_1046734.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b86/pope-john-paul-ii-485_forgiveness_the-only-way-to-peace-is-forgiveness-104_1046734.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b86/pope-john-paul-ii-485_forgiveness_the-only-way-to-peace-is-forgiveness-104_1046734.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The only way to peace is forgiveness.” — Pope John Paul II", "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": "Pope John Paul II", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-paul-ii/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The only way to peace is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-paul-ii/the-only-way-to-peace-is-forgiveness/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-paul-ii/the-only-way-to-peace-is-forgiveness/#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 } } ] } ```