24 Self-Forgiveness Quotes To Free Yourself From Guilt

Since forgiving ourselves is at the core of our healing and self-acceptance, I put together carefully handpicked 24 self-forgiveness quotes to lift and inspire you. 

Within my line of work, guilt is something I often work on with women. 

Whether it is ruminating on past mistakes or nudging self-judgment that won’t go away, we must consciously choose to break these patterns to make real progress in our healing. 

I see these self-forgiveness quotes as a roadmap, a reminder, and also an opportunity to look at yourself from a different point of view while understanding that there is no growth within guilt and judgment. 

What truly inspires us to break free from our old self and design the new self – the self that is loving, compassionate, empathetic, and forgiving is becoming comfortable with saying, “I forgive me.” 

Self-forgiveness quotes to empower you

“Forgiving yourself, believing in yourself, and choosing to love yourself are the best gifts one could receive.” — Brittany Burgunder 

“Forgiveness is not just what we receive; it is also what we give – to ourselves.” — Ogwo David Emenike

“The truth is unless you let go, unless you forgive yourself, unless you forgive the situation, unless you realize that the situation is over, you cannot move forward.” — Steve Maraboli 

“A mistake made with good in your heart is still a mistake, but it is one you must forgive yourself.” — Linda Sue Park 

“Letting ourselves be forgiven is one of the most difficult healings we will undertake. And one of the most fruitful.” — Stephen Levine

“If I hadn’t forgiven myself, I wouldn’t be strong enough to love someone this much.” — Dawn Lanuza

“Forgiving yourself, not guilt, increases personal accountability.” — David D. Burns

“Forgiveness is choosing to love. It is the first skill of self-giving love.” — Mahatma Gandhi 

“Forgive yourself. The supreme act of forgiveness is when you forgive yourself for all the wounds you’ve created in your life. Forgiveness is an act of self-love. When you forgive yourself, self-acceptance begins and self-love grows.”  —Miguel Angel Ruiz Macias

“Our sorrows and wounds are only healed when we touch them with compassion.” — Buddha 

…to lift you up

“I have learned that the person I have to ask for forgiveness from the most is: myself. You must love yourself. You have to forgive yourself, everyday, whenever you remember a shortcoming, a flaw, you have to tell yourself. “That’s just fine”. You have to forgive yourself so much, until you don’t even see those things anymore. Because that’s what love is like.” — C. JoyBell C.

“Forgiveness is for yourself because it frees you. It lets you out of that prison you put yourself in.” — Louise Hay

“Turn down the volume of your negative inner voice and create a nurturing inner voice to take its place. When you make a mistake, forgive yourself, learn from it, and move on instead of obsessing about it. Equally important, don’t allow anyone else to dwell on your mistakes or shortcomings or to expect perfection from you.” — Beverly Engel

“Embrace and love all of yourself – past, present and future. Forgive yourself quickly and as often as necessary. Encourage Yourself. Tell yourself good things about yourself.” — Melody Beattie

“You can sit there forever, lamenting about how bad you’ve been, feeling guilty until you die, and not one tiny slice of that guilt will do anything to change a single thing in the past. Forgive yourself, then move on!” — Wayne Dyer

“Forgive yourself – no one else will.” — Maya Angelou

“Self-forgiveness is a daily practice of the humble, strong and mentally sane. It is an intentional preservation of inner-peace and a reflection of a healthy self-concept.” ― Shannon Tanner

…to heal your soul

“Forgiveness is man’s deepest need and a highest achievement.” — Horace Bushnell 

“To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness.” — Robert Muller

“No one can or will ever feel your pain as much as you. Forgive yourself for the past, seize the gift of the present moment.” — K.J. Kilton

“Forgive yourself first. Release the need to replay a negative situation over and over again in your mind. Don’t become a hostage to your past by always reviewing and reliving your mistakes. Don’t remind yourself of what should have, could have, or would have been. Release it and let it go. Move on.” — Les Brown

“The more you know yourself, the more you forgive yourself.” — Confucius 

“Forgive yourself for not being at peace.” — Eckhart Tolle 

“Feeling compassion for ourselves in no way releases us from responsibility for our actions. Rather, it releases us from the self-hatred that prevents us from responding to our life with clarity and balance.” — Tara Brach