“For it seems to me that you only pardon the sins that you don't really think sinful. You only forgive criminals when they commit what you don't regard as crimes, but rather as conventions. So you tolerate a conventional duel, just as you tolerate a conventional divorce. You forgive because there isn't anything to be forgiven.”

57:11:3
Sermons

As quoted in The New York Times (3 November 1986)

1850s, Two Discourses at Friday Communion (August 1851)

Said during Penn's 1996 acceptance of the Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead in Dead Man Walking (1996-03-23)
Penn was making light of his Hollywood reputation as a hothead.
Allusion to quote in Sally Field's 1984 Oscar acceptance speech, which is popularly misremembered as, "You like me. You really like me!"

archy and mehitabel (1927), what the ants are saying

"Forgiveness" (7 July 2007)
Context: Now do we have to forgive and forget? No! In fact sometimes it's important to remember, so that you can prevent something like that from happening again, or know that it's not ok with you, even with that person or anyone else.
But forgiving — why not? Do it so that you can be free. And I guarantee you, you will be free of this thing. And even if you don't tell this person you've forgiven them, because sometimes you can't, it's amazing what will happen in your life, what will happen with that person, what will happen with you and other people, if you have a forgiving spirit and let it go.

Last words http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/big/0823.html (April 15, 1920)

Source: I Hunt Killers