In short: the Buddha called it wise to admit your mistakes and to properly accept other people's apologies (AN 2.21). And: "For those who bear no such grudge, hatred is laid to rest" (Dhammapada 4). Here are four genuine quotes, each with its source.
1. AN 2.21
"There are two who are astute. What two? One who recognizes when they've made a mistake. And one who properly accepts the confession of someone who's made a mistake."
AN 2.21 · More
2. Dhammapada 3
"‘They abused me, they hit me! They beat me, they robbed me!’ For those who bear such a grudge, hatred is never laid to rest."
Dhammapada 3
3. Dhammapada 4
"‘They abused me, they hit me! They beat me, they robbed me!’ For those who bear no such grudge, hatred is laid to rest."
Dhammapada 4
4. Dhammapada 5
"For never is hatred laid to rest by hate, it's laid to rest by love: this is an ancient teaching."
Dhammapada 5
All quotes are from the early Buddhist texts in Bhikkhu Sujato's translation on SuttaCentral, copied exactly. Last checked: 18 October 2026.
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Questions people ask
What did the Buddha say about forgiveness?
That it is wise to 'properly accept the confession of someone who's made a mistake' (AN 2.21), and that 'for those who bear no such grudge, hatred is laid to rest' (Dhammapada 4).