--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Real forgiveness in close relationships…" description: "\"“Real forgiveness in close relationships is never easy. It can’t be rushed or engineered.”\" — Sharon Salzberg" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/342/sharon-salzberg-562_close-relationship_real-forgiveness-in-close-relationships_2862536.png" --- # Real forgiveness in close relationships is never easy. It… ![“Real forgiveness in close relationships is never easy. It can’t be rushed or engineered.” quote by Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/342/sharon-salzberg-562_close-relationship_real-forgiveness-in-close-relationships_2862536.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/342/sharon-salzberg-562_close-relationship_real-forgiveness-in-close-relationships_2862536.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/342/sharon-salzberg-562_close-relationship_real-forgiveness-in-close-relationships_2862536.png) > ““Real forgiveness in close relationships is never easy. It can’t be rushed or engineered.”” [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Forgiveness in intimate bonds requires time, patience, and genuine emotional work, not shortcuts. **In simple terms:** Forgiveness takes time and cannot be forced. Key Takeaway Allow space, practice patience. Themes relationships forgiveness emotional growth Mood reflective hopeful Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - marriage counseling - family conflicts - friendship repair - personal healing Key Concepts attachment theory mindfulness psychology Questions to Reflect On - What emotions surface when you try to forgive? - How can you honor the process without rushing? A Different Perspective Forgiveness may stall if underlying issues remain unaddressed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Close relationship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/close-relationship/) [Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) [Healthy-relationships](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/healthy-relationships-2/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Meditation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation/) [Mindfulness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mindfulness/) [Real love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-love/) [Relationships](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relationships/) [Understanding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understanding/) ## Related quotes > [“Often in close relationships, the subject being discussed is not the subject at all.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/often-in-close-relationships-the-subject-being-discussed-is-not-the/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [Conflict in close relationships is not only inevitable, it's essential. Intimacy connects people who are inevitably different.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-beck/conflict-in-close-relationships-is-not-only-inevitable-it-s-essential/) [Martha Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-beck/) > [“One of the most critical decisions made in life is choosing with whom to spend your time. For it is those close relationships that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/one-of-the-most-critical-decisions-made-in-life-is-choosing-with-whom/) [Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) > [It's not just the number of friends you have, and it's not whether or not you're in a committed relationship. It's the quality of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-waldinger/it-s-not-just-the-number-of-friends-you-have-and-it-s-not-whether-or/) [Robert J. Waldinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-waldinger/) > [I am interested in the complicated choreography of close relationships.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/torill-kove/i-am-interested-in-the-complicated-choreography-of-close-relationships/) Torill Kove > [“According to research led by Yale psychologist Margaret Clark, most people act like givers in close relationships”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-m-grant/according-to-research-led-by-yale-psychologist-margaret-clark-most/) [Adam M. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-m-grant/) > [“When misery overwhelms us, it often overflows onto close relationships.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-aman/when-misery-overwhelms-us-it-often-overflows-onto-close-relationships/) [Jodi Aman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-aman/) > [I've had relationships with people from all over the world, but there has never been enough time in a day for me to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-mathis/i-ve-had-relationships-with-people-from-all-over-the-world-but-there/) [Johnny Mathis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-mathis/) > [Time is limited; emotions are short. Don't spread yourself too thin. Focus on the close relationships you have now. These are the folks who'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/time-is-limited-emotions-are-short-don-t-spread-yourself-too-thin/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“One of the sad features of most close relationships is the decay of intimacy as a function of time, turmoil, and all the little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-antrim/one-of-the-sad-features-of-most-close-relationships-is-the-decay-of/) [Donald Antrim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-antrim/) > [I have a handful of really close relationships in my life and I depend on those people heavily to carry me through and to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-palmer/i-have-a-handful-of-really-close-relationships-in-my-life-and-i/) [Amanda Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-palmer/) > [The close relationships we form between researchers and product groups have already shown we can move the great ideas as they come along, without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/the-close-relationships-we-form-between-researchers-and-product/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [I nurture my close relationships like priceless lamps. That's part of why the job itself is inherently difficult and kind of a paradox, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-palmer/i-nurture-my-close-relationships-like-priceless-lamps-that-s-part-of/) [Amanda Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-palmer/) > [I'm not interested in playing the field and all that stuff because frankly I'm not into frivolous relationships. I've got a couple close relationships…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-momsen/i-m-not-interested-in-playing-the-field-and-all-that-stuff-because/) [Taylor Momsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-momsen/) > [I focused on where she was from of course, her voice and her history, her relationship with God - her religion. This was probably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-mol/i-focused-on-where-she-was-from-of-course-her-voice-and-her-history/) [Gretchen Mol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-mol/) ## More by Sharon Salzberg > [Some things hurt, you know, and there's pain. But we magnify the suffering of it often, I think, by our reactions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/some-things-hurt-you-know-and-there-s-pain-but-we-magnify-the/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“How we traverse the space between us when conflict arises has a profound effect on the health and longevity of our relationships.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/how-we-traverse-the-space-between-us-when-conflict-arises-has-a/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“Even when we do our very best to treat those close to us with utmost respect and understanding, conflict happens. That’s life. That’s human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/even-when-we-do-our-very-best-to-treat-those-close-to-us-with-utmost/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“Loving ourselves calls us to give up the illusion that we can control everything and focuses us on building our inner resource of resilience.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/loving-ourselves-calls-us-to-give-up-the-illusion-that-we-can-control/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [In order to do anything about the suffering of the world we must have the strength to face it without turning away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/in-order-to-do-anything-about-the-suffering-of-the-world-we-must-have/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“When we believe a wounding story, our whole world is diminished.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/when-we-believe-a-wounding-story-our-whole-world-is-diminished/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“The paradigm for our relationships is formed from our earliest experiences and is actually hardwired into our neurological and emotional network.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/the-paradigm-for-our-relationships-is-formed-from-our-earliest/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [Vulnerability in the face of constant change is what we share, whatever our present condition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/vulnerability-in-the-face-of-constant-change-is-what-we-share/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“Asking questions is an opportunity for creativity and personal expression, both for the person asking and the person answering.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/asking-questions-is-an-opportunity-for-creativity-and-personal/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [Compassion isn't morose; it's something replenishing and opening; that's why it makes us happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/compassion-isn-t-morose-it-s-something-replenishing-and-opening-that/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“When we open our hearts to the breadth of our experiences, we learn to tune into our needs, unique perceptions, thoughts & feelings”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/when-we-open-our-hearts-to-the-breadth-of-our-experiences-we-learn-to/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“As we explore new ways of loving and being loved by others, we need to equip ourselves with open, pliant minds; we need to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/as-we-explore-new-ways-of-loving-and-being-loved-by-others-we-need-to/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [Even in the midst of devastation, something within us always points the way to freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/even-in-the-midst-of-devastation-something-within-us-always-points/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“It's important to investigate the nature of anger because it is such a powerful energy and can be so destructive. When we can face…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/it-s-important-to-investigate-the-nature-of-anger-because-it-is-such/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [“When we contemplate the miracle of embodied life, we begin to partner with our bodies in a kinder way.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/when-we-contemplate-the-miracle-of-embodied-life-we-begin-to-partner/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) [Explore all 473 Sharon Salzberg quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) ## More Close relationship quotes > [“We Will Let You Down: If We’re Close Enough to Help, We’re Close Enough to Hurt Bob Nobody wants to be the church that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-briggs-2/we-will-let-you-down-if-we-re-close-enough-to-help-we-re-close-enough/) J.R. Briggs > [For a man, there's a big responsibility that comes with having a boy because men are made by their fathers. If you've got a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafe-spall/for-a-man-there-s-a-big-responsibility-that-comes-with-having-a-boy/) [Rafe Spall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafe-spall/) > [This 'Making Mirrors' album is far more personal, even if there's a character element to the sounds I'm working with. Every song on this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotye/this-making-mirrors-album-is-far-more-personal-even-if-there-s-a/) [Gotye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotye/) > [From 50 centuries, we can learn about the close relationship between garden design and urban design, because both arts involve the composition of buildings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-turner/from-50-centuries-we-can-learn-about-the-close-relationship-between/) [Tom Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-turner/) > [Growing up, people always thought that my dad and me had a close relationship. We never did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trinity-rodman/growing-up-people-always-thought-that-my-dad-and-me-had-a-close/) [Trinity Rodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trinity-rodman/) > [“Your judgments about another person say more about your own character than the character of the person you are pointing a finger at. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alaric-hutchinson/your-judgments-about-another-person-say-more-about-your-own-character/) [Alaric Hutchinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alaric-hutchinson/) > [“In 1925 Woolf began an affair with Sackville-West, who was married to Harold Nicolson, the diplomat and writer, and the development of their close…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-goldman/in-1925-woolf-began-an-affair-with-sackville-west-who-was-married-to/) [Jane Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-goldman/) > [It's hard to think of any tool, any instrument, any object in history with which so many developed so close a relationship so quickly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-gibbs/it-s-hard-to-think-of-any-tool-any-instrument-any-object-in-history/) [Nancy Gibbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-gibbs/) > [“the major relational problem for our species is not getting together; protoplasm loves to join. The problem is preserving self in a close relationship.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-h-friedman-2/the-major-relational-problem-for-our-species-is-not-getting-together/) [Edwin H Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-h-friedman-2/) > [Fame does lead to money, which I don't have a close relationship with. I'm the kind of guy who never sees the money -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-duchovny/fame-does-lead-to-money-which-i-don-t-have-a-close-relationship-with/) [David Duchovny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-duchovny/) > [The excellence of every art is its intensity, capable of making all disagreeables, from their being in close relationship with beauty and truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-keats/the-excellence-of-every-art-is-its-intensity-capable-of-making-all/) [John Keats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-keats/) > [I guess we've had a very close relationship because I don't pretend to know about cinema and I think I do know a bit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lloyd-webber/i-guess-we-ve-had-a-very-close-relationship-because-i-don-t-pretend/) [Andrew Lloyd Webber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lloyd-webber/) > [It's interesting that I had such a close relationship with my grandfather. Because your parents always judge you: they say, 'You shouldn't do this,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/novak-djokovic/it-s-interesting-that-i-had-such-a-close-relationship-with-my/) [Novak Djokovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/novak-djokovic/) > [I lived near the border with China, and one night, I simply left home and walked across the iced-over river that separated the two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-hyeon-seo/i-lived-near-the-border-with-china-and-one-night-i-simply-left-home/) [Lee Hyeon-seo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-hyeon-seo/) > [Spicy food and I have a close relationship—an obsessive one, in fact. If it’s spicy, I want it. I want to sweat and shake…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/spicy-food-and-i-have-a-close-relationship-an-obsessive-one-in-fact/) [Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/) [Browse all 172 Close relationship quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/close-relationship/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Real forgiveness in close relationships is never easy. It can’t be rushed or engineered.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sharon Salzberg" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/real-forgiveness-in-close-relationships-is-never-easy-it-can-t-be/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Close relationship" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/real-forgiveness-in-close-relationships-is-never-easy-it-can-t-be/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/342/sharon-salzberg-562_close-relationship_real-forgiveness-in-close-relationships_2862536.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/342/sharon-salzberg-562_close-relationship_real-forgiveness-in-close-relationships_2862536.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/342/sharon-salzberg-562_close-relationship_real-forgiveness-in-close-relationships_2862536.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Real forgiveness in close relationships is never easy. It can’t be rushed or engineered.” — Sharon Salzberg", "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": "Sharon Salzberg", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Real forgiveness in close relationships is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/real-forgiveness-in-close-relationships-is-never-easy-it-can-t-be/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/real-forgiveness-in-close-relationships-is-never-easy-it-can-t-be/#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 } } ] } ```