--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Forgiveness is commendable, but apply not…" description: "\"Forgiveness is commendable, but apply not ointment to the wound of an oppressor.\" — Saadi" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb0/saadi-2340_commendable_forgiveness-is-commendable-but-apply-not_698568.png" --- # Forgiveness is commendable, but apply not ointment to the… ![“Forgiveness is commendable, but apply not ointment to the wound of an oppressor.” quote by Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb0/saadi-2340_commendable_forgiveness-is-commendable-but-apply-not_698568.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb0/saadi-2340_commendable_forgiveness-is-commendable-but-apply-not_698568.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb0/saadi-2340_commendable_forgiveness-is-commendable-but-apply-not_698568.png) > “Forgiveness is commendable, but apply not ointment to the wound of an oppressor.” [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Forgiveness alone cannot heal the harm caused by a powerful oppressor; deeper justice is needed. **In simple terms:** Forgiveness isn’t enough for oppression. Key Takeaway Seek justice, not just forgiveness. Themes justice forgiveness power ethics Mood reflective serious Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - political conflict - personal betrayal - social movements Key Concepts moral responsibility restorative justice Questions to Reflect On - What actions accompany forgiveness? - When is forgiveness insufficient? A Different Perspective Forgiveness may enable continued oppression. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) [Oppressors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oppressors/) [Wounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wounds/) ## Related quotes > [To pardon the oppressor is to deal harshly with the oppressed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/to-pardon-the-oppressor-is-to-deal-harshly-with-the-oppressed/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [He who, when he hath the power, doeth not good, when he loses the means will suffer distress. 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Herein taking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-hall/neutrality-in-things-good-or-evil-is-both-odious-and-prejudicial-but/) [Joseph Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-hall/) > [Apart from a commendable determination to discomfit Trump and members of his inner circle (select military figures excepted, at least for now), journalism remains…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-bacevich/apart-from-a-commendable-determination-to-discomfit-trump-and-members/) [Andrew Bacevich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-bacevich/) > [For nothing is more commendable, nothing more becoming in a preeminently great man than courtesy and forbearance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/for-nothing-is-more-commendable-nothing-more-becoming-in-a/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [One of the most popular narcotics to ease the pain of economy is cherishing the belief that better days are ahead. This is both…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marjorie-hillis/one-of-the-most-popular-narcotics-to-ease-the-pain-of-economy-is/) [Marjorie Hillis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marjorie-hillis/) > [The school children of New York State planted more than 200,000 trees within ten years from the time Arbor Day was recognized. Few similar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-s-draper/the-school-children-of-new-york-state-planted-more-than-200-000-trees/) Andrew S. 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Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [So-called Western Civilization, as practised in half of Europe, some of Asia and a few parts of North America, is better than anything else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/so-called-western-civilization-as-practised-in-half-of-europe-some-of/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [The pursuit of perfection is frustrating and a waste of time, because nothing is ever perfect. The pursuit of excellence is commendable and worthwhile.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-kulwicki/the-pursuit-of-perfection-is-frustrating-and-a-waste-of-time-because/) [Alan Kulwicki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-kulwicki/) ## More by Saadi > [Human beings are members of a whole, In creation of one essence and soul. If one member is afflicted with pain, Other members uneasy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/human-beings-are-members-of-a-whole-in-creation-of-one-essence-and/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [If thou art of elephant-strength or of lion-claw, still peace is, in my opinion, better than strife.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/if-thou-art-of-elephant-strength-or-of-lion-claw-still-peace-is-in-my/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [Astride a horse I am not, nor camel-like carry a load, Subjects I have none, nor follow any sultan's code; I worry not for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/astride-a-horse-i-am-not-nor-camel-like-carry-a-load-subjects-i-have/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [Whatever is produced in haste goes hastily to waste.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/whatever-is-produced-in-haste-goes-hastily-to-waste/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [The rose and thorn, the treasure and dragon, joy and sorrow, all mingle into one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/the-rose-and-thorn-the-treasure-and-dragon-joy-and-sorrow-all-mingle/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [When the ruler is obedient to God, God is his protector and friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/when-the-ruler-is-obedient-to-god-god-is-his-protector-and-friend/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [Riches are for the comfort of life, and not life for the accumulation of riches. I asked a holy wise man, "Who is fortunate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/riches-are-for-the-comfort-of-life-and-not-life-for-the-accumulation/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [Where the hand of tyranny is long we do not see the lips of men open with laughter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/where-the-hand-of-tyranny-is-long-we-do-not-see-the-lips-of-men-open/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [All human beings are limbs of the same body. God created them from the same essence. If one part of the body suffers pain,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/all-human-beings-are-limbs-of-the-same-body-god-created-them-from-the/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [Roam abroad in the world, and take thy fill of its enjoyments before the day shall come when thou must quit it for good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/roam-abroad-in-the-world-and-take-thy-fill-of-its-enjoyments-before/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [It is wrong to follow the advice of an adversary; nevertheless it is right to hear it, that you may do the contrary; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/it-is-wrong-to-follow-the-advice-of-an-adversary-nevertheless-it-is/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [A man is insensible to the relish of prosperity 'til he has tasted adversity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/a-man-is-insensible-to-the-relish-of-prosperity-til-he-has-tasted/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [If thou art wise, incline to truth; for truth, not the semblance, remains in its place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/if-thou-art-wise-incline-to-truth-for-truth-not-the-semblance-remains/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [Patience accomplishes its object, while hurry speeds to its ruin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/patience-accomplishes-its-object-while-hurry-speeds-to-its-ruin/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [He who, when he hath the power, doeth not good, when he loses the means will suffer distress. There is not a more unfortunate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/he-who-when-he-hath-the-power-doeth-not-good-when-he-loses-the-means/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) [Explore all 159 Saadi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) ## More Commendable quotes > [The pursuit of perfection is frustrating and a waste of time, because nothing is ever perfect. The pursuit of excellence is commendable and worthwhile.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-kulwicki/the-pursuit-of-perfection-is-frustrating-and-a-waste-of-time-because/) [Alan Kulwicki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-kulwicki/) > [So-called Western Civilization, as practised in half of Europe, some of Asia and a few parts of North America, is better than anything else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/so-called-western-civilization-as-practised-in-half-of-europe-some-of/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [Frequently, we busily search for group service projects, which are surely needed and commendable, when quiet, personal service is also urgently needed. Sometimes the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/frequently-we-busily-search-for-group-service-projects-which-are/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [Being good is commendable, but only when it is combined with doing good is it useful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/being-good-is-commendable-but-only-when-it-is-combined-with-doing/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [The Libertarians, of whom I'm rather fond, are running Harry Browne. 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Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/) > [It is more or less rude to scorn indiscriminately all kinds of praise; we ought to be proud of that which comes from honest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/it-is-more-or-less-rude-to-scorn-indiscriminately-all-kinds-of-praise/) [Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) > [The school children of New York State planted more than 200,000 trees within ten years from the time Arbor Day was recognized. Few similar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-s-draper/the-school-children-of-new-york-state-planted-more-than-200-000-trees/) Andrew S. Draper > [One of the most popular narcotics to ease the pain of economy is cherishing the belief that better days are ahead. 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