---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We chain ourselves to those we don't…"
description: "\"“We chain ourselves to those we don't forgive.”\" — Richard Paul Evans"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d6/richard-paul-evans-1002_chain_we-chain-ourselves-to-those-we-don-t-for_1944826.png"
---

#  We chain ourselves to those we don't forgive.

![“We chain ourselves to those we don't forgive.” quote by Richard Paul Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d6/richard-paul-evans-1002_chain_we-chain-ourselves-to-those-we-don-t-for_1944826.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d6/richard-paul-evans-1002_chain_we-chain-ourselves-to-those-we-don-t-for_1944826.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d6/richard-paul-evans-1002_chain_we-chain-ourselves-to-those-we-don-t-for_1944826.png)

> ““We chain ourselves to those we don't forgive.””

[Richard Paul Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-paul-evans/)

## About This Quote

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

Holding grudges binds us, preventing forgiveness and freedom.

**In simple terms:** Unforgiveness traps us.

Key Takeaway

Let go of grudges.

Themes

forgiveness personal freedom psychology

Mood

reflective calm

Type

emotional motivational

When to use this quote

- personal relationships
- conflict resolution
- mental health

Key Concepts

emotional release self‑growth

Questions to Reflect On

- What would change if you forgave?
- How does resentment affect your wellbeing?

A Different Perspective

Forgiveness can be difficult when hurt is deep.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Chain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chain/) [Chain Don](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chain-don-3121571/) [Don Forgive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/don-forgive-358021/) [Forgive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgive/) [Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) [Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hope/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/)

## Related quotes

> [“It's a lonely little chain if you don't add to it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-johnson/it-s-a-lonely-little-chain-if-you-don-t-add-to-it/)

[Jack Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-johnson/)

> [We don't forgive people because we are weak. We forgive people because we are strong enough to know we all make mistakes and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-don-t-forgive-people-because-we-are-weak-we-forgive-people-because/)

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

> [The most important thing about being a father is being able to forgive yourself. If you don't forgive yourself, you're not going to forgive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evander-holyfield/the-most-important-thing-about-being-a-father-is-being-able-to/)

[Evander Holyfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evander-holyfield/)

> [When you don't forgive you break the bridge that him himself must cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-don-t-forgive-you-break-the-bridge-that-him-himself-must/)

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

> [“Forgiveness is about your peace of mind. When you don't forgive, you are the one who suffers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/forgiveness-is-about-your-peace-of-mind-when-you-don-t-forgive-you/)

[Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/)

> [We are chained to that which we do not forgive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-paul-evans/we-are-chained-to-that-which-we-do-not-forgive/)

[Richard Paul Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-paul-evans/)

> [I don't forgive people because I'm weak, I forgive them because I'm strong enough to realize that people make mistakes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/i-don-t-forgive-people-because-i-m-weak-i-forgive-them-because-i-m-2/)

[Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/)

> [We all make mistakes, don't we? But if you can't forgive yourself, you'll always be an exile in your own life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-sittenfeld/we-all-make-mistakes-don-t-we-but-if-you-can-t-forgive-yourself-you/)

[Curtis Sittenfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-sittenfeld/)

> [When we don’t forgive, we’re not hurting the other person. We’re not hurting the company that did us wrong. We’re not hurting God. We’re…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/when-we-don-t-forgive-we-re-not-hurting-the-other-person-we-re-not/)

[Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/)

> [If I didn't forgive the people who took me into the barracks and beat me unconscious over a period of days during the period…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerry-adams/if-i-didn-t-forgive-the-people-who-took-me-into-the-barracks-and-beat/)

[Gerry Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerry-adams/)

> [I've learned that people will forgive him, but only to ruin him, he could mess with your heart, leave scars and try to control…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janissa-luna/i-ve-learned-that-people-will-forgive-him-but-only-to-ruin-him-he/)

[Janissa Luna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janissa-luna/)

> [if you understand something, you don't forgive it, you are the thing itself: forgiveness is for what you don't understand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/if-you-understand-something-you-don-t-forgive-it-you-are-the-thing/)

[Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/)

> [I don't forgive people because I'm weak, I forgive them because I'm strong enough to know that people make mistakes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-don-t-forgive-people-because-i-m-weak-i-forgive-them-because-i-m/)

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

> [As long as you don't forgive, who and whatever it is will occupy a rent-free space in your mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isabelle-holland/as-long-as-you-don-t-forgive-who-and-whatever-it-is-will-occupy-a/)

[Isabelle Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isabelle-holland/)

> [“I don't forgive him," I said. "Hell, no, you don't. And why should you? So he can feel better? Get on with his life?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/i-don-t-forgive-him-i-said-hell-no-you-don-t-and-why-should-you-so-he/)

[Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/)

## More by Richard Paul Evans

> [ The smells of Christmas are the smells of childhood \[p. 53\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-paul-evans/the-smells-of-christmas-are-the-smells-of-childhood-p-53/)

[Richard Paul Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-paul-evans/)

> [We are chained to that which we do not forgive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-paul-evans/we-are-chained-to-that-which-we-do-not-forgive/)

[Richard Paul Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-paul-evans/)

> [“I've found that when someone is beautiful on the outside, but spiritually dark inside, all that outer beauty is just lipstick on a pig.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-paul-evans/i-ve-found-that-when-someone-is-beautiful-on-the-outside-but/)

[Richard Paul Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-paul-evans/)

> [There are none so impoverished as those who do not acknowledge the abundance of their lives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-paul-evans/there-are-none-so-impoverished-as-those-who-do-not-acknowledge-the/)

[Richard Paul Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-paul-evans/)

> [It's our memories that make us who we are. Without them, we're nothing. If that means we have to hurt sometimes, it's worth it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-paul-evans/it-s-our-memories-that-make-us-who-we-are-without-them-we-re-nothing/)

[Richard Paul Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-paul-evans/)

> [At one time in my career, Barnes and Noble bookstores categorized my books as religious fiction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-paul-evans/at-one-time-in-my-career-barnes-and-noble-bookstores-categorized-my/)

[Richard Paul Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-paul-evans/)

> [“I'm no one important or famous, no matter. It is better to be loved by one person who knows your soul than millions who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-paul-evans/i-m-no-one-important-or-famous-no-matter-it-is-better-to-be-loved-by/)

[Richard Paul Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-paul-evans/)

> [The first step of a journey is always the longest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-paul-evans/the-first-step-of-a-journey-is-always-the-longest/)

[Richard Paul Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-paul-evans/)

> [“Simply stated, earth is a school-a divine educational process custom-fit to each of us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-paul-evans/simply-stated-earth-is-a-school-a-divine-educational-process-custom/)

[Richard Paul Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-paul-evans/)

> [So much of young adult literature has turned dark, almost pathological. It's almost as if there is a race to see who can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-paul-evans/so-much-of-young-adult-literature-has-turned-dark-almost-pathological/)

[Richard Paul Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-paul-evans/)

> [If the errors of my life have profited me one great truth it is this: believe. Believe in your destiny and the star from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-paul-evans/if-the-errors-of-my-life-have-profited-me-one-great-truth-it-is-this/)

[Richard Paul Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-paul-evans/)

> [Some people in this world have stopped looking for beauty, then wonder why their lives are so ugly. Don't be like them. The ability…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-paul-evans/some-people-in-this-world-have-stopped-looking-for-beauty-then-wonder/)

[Richard Paul Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-paul-evans/)

> [“There's a big difference between us. I write non-fiction, you write fiction. I write truths that tell lies. You write lies that tell truths.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-paul-evans/there-s-a-big-difference-between-us-i-write-non-fiction-you-write/)

[Richard Paul Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-paul-evans/)

> [As a boy I heard this story in church. A man was patching a pitched roof of a tall building when he began sliding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-paul-evans/as-a-boy-i-heard-this-story-in-church-a-man-was-patching-a-pitched/)

[Richard Paul Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-paul-evans/)

> [I am facing the most difficult thing of my life, my own greatest failure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-paul-evans/i-am-facing-the-most-difficult-thing-of-my-life-my-own-greatest/)

[Richard Paul Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-paul-evans/)

[Explore all 311 Richard Paul Evans quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-paul-evans/)

## More Chain quotes

> [If you take away the predators in the prairies and the national parks, you suddenly have an explosion of elk, and then you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-benchley/if-you-take-away-the-predators-in-the-prairies-and-the-national-parks/)

[Peter Benchley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-benchley/)

> [With the very rapid expansion of distribution platforms, we want to be in the supply chain with as many types of programs as we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haim-saban/with-the-very-rapid-expansion-of-distribution-platforms-we-want-to-be/)

[Haim Saban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haim-saban/)

> [A film is a chain of very difficult decisions, and I think one of them is to choose an accurate cast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javier-camara/a-film-is-a-chain-of-very-difficult-decisions-and-i-think-one-of-them/)

[Javier Camara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javier-camara/)

> [I'm the top of the food chain and well...you're the food.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/i-m-the-top-of-the-food-chain-and-well-you-re-the-food/)

[Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/)

> [The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed critical vulnerabilities in our pharmaceutical supply chain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abigail-spanberger/the-covid-19-pandemic-has-exposed-critical-vulnerabilities-in-our/)

[Abigail Spanberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abigail-spanberger/)

> [What I've been developing is a vegan fast food chain and vegan food markets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-mills/what-i-ve-been-developing-is-a-vegan-fast-food-chain-and-vegan-food/)

[Heather Mills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-mills/)

> [“Where are the links of the chain ... joining us to the past?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-dunnett/where-are-the-links-of-the-chain-joining-us-to-the-past/)

[Dorothy Dunnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-dunnett/)

> [By 2023, we will be the world's largest hotel chain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritesh-agarwal/by-2023-we-will-be-the-world-s-largest-hotel-chain/)

[Ritesh Agarwal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritesh-agarwal/)

> [Without sharks, you take away the apex predator of the ocean, and you destroy the entire food chain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-benchley/without-sharks-you-take-away-the-apex-predator-of-the-ocean-and-you/)

[Peter Benchley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-benchley/)

> [One link in a chain explains the infinite chain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/one-link-in-a-chain-explains-the-infinite-chain/)

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

> [Content not thyself that thou art virtuous in the general; for one link being wanting, the chain is defective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/content-not-thyself-that-thou-art-virtuous-in-the-general-for-one/)

[William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/)

> [There's a weak link in every chain. And it's just a matter of time before this one snaps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gossip-girl/there-s-a-weak-link-in-every-chain-and-it-s-just-a-matter-of-time/)

[Gossip Girl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gossip-girl/)

> [I'm telling the story, and if I can't tell the story, I'm not going to sing it. And if I don't agree with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-jones/i-m-telling-the-story-and-if-i-can-t-tell-the-story-i-m-not-going-to/)

[Sharon Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-jones/)

> [A chain is no stronger than its weakest link, and if one of the team cannot handle the forces, everybody is going to suffer.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dion-fortune/a-chain-is-no-stronger-than-its-weakest-link-and-if-one-of-the-team/)

[Dion Fortune](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dion-fortune/)

> [“The chain of command, I wear it around my neck.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/the-chain-of-command-i-wear-it-around-my-neck/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

[Browse all 236 Chain quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chain/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“We chain ourselves to those we don't forgive.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Richard Paul Evans"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-paul-evans/we-chain-ourselves-to-those-we-don-t-forgive/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Chain"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-paul-evans/we-chain-ourselves-to-those-we-don-t-forgive/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d6/richard-paul-evans-1002_chain_we-chain-ourselves-to-those-we-don-t-for_1944826.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d6/richard-paul-evans-1002_chain_we-chain-ourselves-to-those-we-don-t-for_1944826.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d6/richard-paul-evans-1002_chain_we-chain-ourselves-to-those-we-don-t-for_1944826.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“We chain ourselves to those we don't forgive.” — Richard Paul Evans",
                "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": "Richard Paul Evans",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-paul-evans/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“We chain ourselves to those we...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-paul-evans/we-chain-ourselves-to-those-we-don-t-forgive/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-paul-evans/we-chain-ourselves-to-those-we-don-t-forgive/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```