Forgive and forget.
Forgive and forget.
Meaning in plain English
The phrase urges leaving a wrong behind rather than repeatedly returning to it. Forgiving and forgetting are separate possibilities, and neither should be demanded as proof that someone has dealt with harm correctly.
Example
Two neighbours settle a misunderstanding about borrowed equipment, and one chooses to move on while still keeping a clearer record of future loans.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
The paired instructions present a complete ending to a grievance: forgive the person and stop holding the wrong in mind. That may describe a desired response to a small resolved disagreement, but the two actions need not occur together. Someone can release resentment while remembering what happened or choosing not to restore trust. The wording should not become pressure to reconcile before a concern has been addressed. The useful question is what kind of closure is appropriate and chosen by the affected person, rather than whether they have performed both verbs to satisfy another person’s wish for an easy ending.
When to use it
Use it cautiously for voluntarily closing a minor resolved grievance.
Keep in mind
Forgiveness does not require lost memory, renewed trust or contact; unresolved harm may still need attention.
Edsverb editorial interpretation · agent reviewed · 2026-10-05. This explains the saying; it does not establish its historical origin.
- Source
- A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases
Entry 622 · Forgive
Read the original context ↗ - Attribution confidence
- traditional · historical anthology
Preserved as printed; independently unverified. - Historical coordinate
- Undated
No reliable date supplied by the collection. - Rights & edition
- Public domain (United States)
Translations and rights may differ elsewhere.
Provenance and licences ↗