“Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names.”

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Sorry again, readers! I know it’s been awhile, but I’m here with another post. Let’s get started.

You can find the above quote from John F. Kennedy in My Favorite Quotes (thus far) post that I wrote in February. My quote list has grown a little more since then, but that’s not what we’re here for.

We’re here to talk about this brilliant quote. “Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names.” This quote has some sort of je ne sais quoi. There’s just something about it! It’s so clever. It sounds almost like something a sage would say.

Let’s dig into it, shall we?

I’m going to give you my interpretation, starting with “forgive”.

According to the Oxford Dictionary (three cheers for the Oxford Dictionary), to forgive is to stop feeling angry or resentful toward someone for an offense, flaw, or mistake.

So, if someone did something wrong to you, to forgive is to let “it” go. With that being said, forgiving your enemies is basically letting go of whatever they did wrong to you. Awesome.

Oh, and let us remember that forgiveness isn’t really for the other person. Forgiveness is for you. Sure one could feel a lot better knowing that you forgave him or her of his or her wrong, but at the end of the day, you can’t control other people’s feelings. A person could feel sad, guilty, or ecstatic, but if you hold on to whatever he or she did to you, it’ll have some control over you. There’s no need for that. As soon as you forgive, you are setting yourself free from that burden.

Moving on to…

“…but never forget their names.”

First off, the word “but” is used to introduce something that will contrast what has already been mentioned.

Sometimes when I hear or read “but”, I replace it with a “Wait a minute! Wait a minute!” or something of the sort. So far I’m reading: Forgive your enemies. Wait a minute! NEVER FORGET THEIR NAMES!

Catching my drift?

This idea is indeed going against the “forgive and forget” idea under which many people operate, which makes the idea of forgiving but not forgetting seem rather smart to me. I mean, it’s almost naïve to forgive AND forget. Why erase from your memory something that could help you make better decisions about trust, how you choose your friends, or any other situation? Use the time that caused you to forgive someone as a reference to help you in life.

I feel like I’m straying a little bit. Let’s get back on course.

Overall, I understand the quote to be interpreted as follows: Let go of whatever wrong that was done to you, but don’t forget the people who did the wrong to you, because they could easily wrong you again.

Do you think I’m understanding JFK correctly? Do you agree or disagree with this quote at all? I want to hear what YOU have to say.

I hope you have a great day!

45 Comments Write a comment

A girl trying to make it in the future's history books.

45 Comments

  • Linda 6 July 2011

    This is an incredible post & your interpretation of the quote is amazing- It really gave me a lot of insight into the true meaning behind it! I'm speechless! (:

    http://thefashionlatte.blogspot.com

  • MiMi 6 July 2011

    I love this quote totally makes sense.. Great post hun, keep them coming =)

    MiMi xoxo
    http://www.make-upoverdose.blogspot.com/

  • Ask Erena 6 July 2011

    Nice post! Thank you for your nice comments. I am your new follower. Would be great if you follow me too:-)
    hugs,
    xx
    Ask Erena
    http://www.askerena.com

  • Daly 6 July 2011

    Hey! Thanks for the comment! I love your blog, and am officially following! Let me know when you follow back!

    xoxo

    DressingDaly.blogspot.com

  • Jamie 7 July 2011

    I am so glad you found my blog and I am truly glad I found yours and I am now an official follower. I do hope that you will follow me as well. I look forward to reading more from you and I definitely look forward to your comments on my page!

    http://ilookgoodtoday-jamie.blogspot.com/

  • 7 July 2011

    I love that quote!

    http://www.hsquaredfashion.blogspot.com

  • The Other Coco Chanel 7 July 2011

    Your blogsite is very inspirational. Thank you for visiting me and recommending this site to me. I'm so glad you did and I can't wait to see more. You definitely got a new follower and I'm greatly looking forward to seeing you on the Style~ Spotlighted at http://wtfash.blogspot.com

    Stay FABulous,
    *Chanel

  • Marusya V 7 July 2011

    Hi Nia, thanks for stopping by! I am following you to now. Your blog is great and i found we have a lot in common (yes, I did read the section about you LOL)

    re: JFK quote. I agree 100%. Though I always try to forgive and forget its rarely possible. Esp when a person does something really bad… It maybe possible to forgive but not forget.

    Hugs!
    Marusya V
    p.s. Stay in touch!!!

  • Cee Harvey 7 July 2011

    I think I would interpret the quote as forgive them, but keep them in mind. For total forgiveness really you should forget about it, but your right, that would be a bit naive.
    nice blog x

    ceeharvey.blogspot.com
    (check out my giveaway if you're interested)

  • Rebecca Bany 7 July 2011

    Hello! I'm a new follower. Enjoying your blog!
    http://www.rebeccabany.com

  • theinternetgarbage.com 7 July 2011

    I agree with your interpretation of the quote. Love your blog as it isn't the "usual" blog that I stumble across, and it sounds very wise!

    http://www.theinternetgarbage.com

  • Isabella Éclairés Rakonić 7 July 2011

    followin!

  • Amélie 7 July 2011

    Thanks for your comment on my blog ! 🙂
    I followed you ;).

    See you on my blog 😀
    xoxo,
    http://www.tobefashion.blogspot.com

  • Luci 7 July 2011

    followin you 😉

    http://lucyles.blogspot.com/

  • Raisa Hermida 8 July 2011

    i've already followed, follow back if you liked my blog
    http://www.raisaland.blogspot.com

  • Bonnie 8 July 2011

    This is an interesting interpretation of the quote, and I must say that I agree with you. JFK would be proud. 🙂

    http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
    Twitter: @GlamKitten88

  • theinternetgarbage.com 8 July 2011

    No problem for the kind words on your blog – I think that it's awesome that you write so intellectually, and I will be back to comment with your next post! Thank you also for taking the time out to come to our site and explore, you comment and time mean a lot to us, and we appreciate it! I'm sure we will see you soon!

  • Alyssa 8 July 2011

    I totally agree with you! I think you are right on the dot with JFK's quote. I love the way you write! Even though I've never spoken with you in person, I feel as if your voice speaks through your writing. Thank you for commenting on my blog! I'd love it if we follow each other! I'm now following you! :]

    beautyandfashionmashup.blogspot.com
    -The BF Mashup

  • whitney 8 July 2011

    Such an interesting and great post! Love the way you write.

    http://fleeting-moments.blogspot.com

  • Francesca R 8 July 2011

    Your interpretation is correct and I totally agree with the quote. You can forgive however you should always be alert and aware of people who can potentially harm you.
    I am following
    xx
    http://dontcallmefashionblogger.blogspot.com

  • ChiccaStyle 8 July 2011

    Thanks honey for your sweet comment and for following my blog! Totally agree with the quote, I am following you!
    http://chiccastyle.blogspot.com/

  • Angel S.NMH 8 July 2011

    You are totally right!!! your interpretation of the quote is the same as mine..
    forgiving someone is like moving on, but to forget is like you are erasing something that can have forge your character and the decision you will be making in your ife.
    And you're right by saying ''don't forget the people who did the wrong to you, because they could easily wrong you again.''
    specially if those people are friends that means they weren't true friends.. Your trust in them should be reviewed..

    http://loveforfashionispassion.blogspot.com/

  • Gianella 8 July 2011

    You have a talent, dear! I like your choice of words and how you put them together. Me too, I know how to forgive but I never forget those who've wronged me. Oh well, following you now 🙂 Hope you could follow back xoxo

  • Neris 8 July 2011

    I totally agree with this 🙂 Following you now, hope you follow back 🙂

    xxx,

    Fashion Fractions

  • Mirjam König 8 July 2011

    written so nice! 🙂

    Thank you so much for dropping by my blog and your lovely comment! 🙂

    adelightfuldream.blogspot.com

  • *Sweetly Broken* 8 July 2011

    I love this quote so much! It's a lesson in itself! Your interpretation of it is very clever and understandable! You interpreted it how I would.

    http://foreversweetlybroken.blogspot.com/

  • Carrie 9 July 2011

    Helloooo Nia! thank you so much for visiting my blog. Glad you left me information on yours. I love it! I share your love…of God. I believe as our Lord instructed that we are called to be like Jesus and forgive…and forget. I believe being cautious around someone that hurt you in the past is fine. True forgiveness is forgetting. Something else to strive for if we are truly to follow Christ. Wouldn't you want to be forgiven and never have someone remind of you what they had to forgive you for? Just my thoughts on it. I am definitely a new follower!
    God Bless you! Keep in touch!
    XO Carrie
    http://www.carriefabulous.com

  • Lovely B. 9 July 2011

    thank you for the lovely comment you left my blog with, i am following you already! 🙂

    you got a lovely blog 🙂
    keep in touch!
    http://lovelybulatao.blogspot.com

  • Jessica 9 July 2011

    Thanks for your comment!

    http://chicgeekblogger.blogspot.com/

    Please take a minute to look at my vintage boutique;

    http://bitsforboffins.bigcartel.com/

    http://iouproject.com/tsh/jessica-karen/

  • Kristina 9 July 2011

    Thank you! 🙂 Following you back. 😀

  • .Porcelaine. 10 July 2011

    Great Blog!!! 🙂
    Hope you like mine!!

    http://la-fille-porcelaine.blogspot.com/

  • Stephanie 11 July 2011

    Thanks for checking out my blog and I'm so glad to come across yours.

    I would love forgive and forget to be my motto in life be let's be honest, only a saint can live by that. If someone has done enough damage, forgeting is nearly impossible. This post reminds me of another quote, "If a man deceives me once, shame on him. If he deceives me twice, shame on me"..agree?

    Thanks for sharing. I'm now your new follower, would love to have you as a follower too 🙂

    x,
    Stephanie

    http://www.thefashforward.blogspot.com

  • Steph Wedge 11 July 2011

    thanks for the comment on my blog! your blog is great!
    im following you now!!
    http://each2theirown.blogspot.com/

  • Lady Jersey 11 July 2011

    Hiii !!! Thank you very much for your lovely comment …
    Of course I follow you I love the concept of your blog and your personnality … But I didn't find where we can follow your blog I'm so sorry can you explain me … And it's so generous to follow me 100% back so there is my Facebook page and my twitter page with links are on my blog. See you later … XOxo

    http://theladyjersey.blogspot.com

  • Marcela Gmd 11 July 2011

    Hi lovely, I follow you, too!!!
    Besos, desde España, Marcela

  • lil miss Sauniya' 11 July 2011

    Couldnt agree more with that quote and your interpretation of it is more than right. That's a quote i've always been going by and everyone should do the same.

  • mirjam schuurkamp 11 July 2011

    hihi forgive your enemies but never forget their names!
    thats a good one doll!

    New outfit post – New Blouse!
    http://www.mirfashion.blogspot.com

  • Ellen ♥ 12 July 2011

    Up for this one. 🙂 Yes, that's atleast you can do. You will forgive but never forget their names. For future purposes that you should be aware of those people just in case you path cross again.

    ellenreviews.blogspot.com

  • Lady Jersey 12 July 2011

    Thank you very to answer very quickly … I found the link and now I follow you. You find ma link for my Facebook Page ? Xoxo

    http://theladyjersey.blogspot.com

  • Bad Joan 12 July 2011

    Great blog! Love your posts.

    http://blog.badjoan.com/

  • Evil Nelly 15 July 2011

    Dear Nia,

    Such a thoughtful post, it was only the other day my husband and i had this very discussion regarding this quote. i would like to interpret this quote as " when people do mean things to do, you can forgive them, but then never forget they are MEANIES,lol".. my husband says that you should never forgive people, if there was such a thing as forgiveness, then the whole jazz about "karma" and the "universe" does not make sense. its only because people do bad things, theres such a thing as bad karma. what goes around, comes around it, either the universe punishes them or you will have to dole out sweet revenge 😉

    thank you for visiting my blog and leaving your lovely thoughts and yes I would love for us to follow each other, so I am joining your crew now 😉

    hugs,
    Nelly
    http://www.massacredmascara.blogspot.com

  • Pernille 15 July 2011

    couldn't agree more!
    i think even if you try to forget, you can't (unless you suffer from alzheimer)!
    just be aware of the past, but don't let it block your present!
    great post! following! 🙂
    x

    http://mythoughtsbutbetter.blogspot.com/

  • shivkumar 29 April 2012

    good elaboration……i like it………..

  • Anonymous 18 September 2012

    I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was
    good. I don't know who you are but certainly you're going to a famous blogger if you aren't already 😉 Cheers!

    Prescription Swimming Goggles

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