Source: A Funeral for the Eyes of Fire (1975), Chapter 14, “Denouement: Ascent to the Acropolis” (p. 265)
“Only the brave know how to forgive…A coward never forgave; it is not in his nature.”
Sermons, Vol. I, No. 12 (1760).
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Laurence Sterne 50
Irish/English writer 1713–1768Related quotes

“Forgiveness is a virtue of the brave.”
“By nature of definition only the coward is capable of the highest heroism.”
Source: Drenai series, Legend, Pt 1: Against the Horde, Ch. 4
“Life had taught her to be brave, to be patient, to love, to forgive.”
Source: Rainbow Valley (1919), Ch. 13

“Forgive him, for he believes that the customs of his tribe are the laws of nature!”
Act II; sometimes paraphrased as: The customs of your tribe are not laws of nature.
1890s, Caesar and Cleopatra (1898)
Variant: Pardon him, Theodotus: he is a barbarian, and thinks that the customs of his tribe and island are the laws of nature.
Context: THEODOTUS: Caesar: you are a stranger here, and not conversant with our laws. The kings and queens of Egypt may not marry except with their own royal blood. Ptolemy and Cleopatra are born king and consort just as they are born brother and sister.
BRITANNUS (shocked): Caesar: this is not proper.
THEODOTUS (outraged): How!
CAESAR (recovering his self-possession): Pardon him, Theodotus: he is a barbarian, and thinks that the customs of his tribe and island are the laws of nature.

“How completely, how thoroughly he has stolen my child. I have never even tried to forgive him.”
Epilogue (p. 446)
Parable of the Talents (1998)