forgive but don't forget
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English
[edit]Etymology
[edit]In reference to the phrase forgive and forget.
Verb
[edit]- (idiomatic, intransitive) To pardon someone of wrongdoing while retaining awareness of their past behavior to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
- 1841, Samuel Lover, Roberts' Semi-Monthly Magazine[1], volume 1, number 1, page 8:
- 'Forgive, forget,' we're wisely told, Is held a maxim good and old; But half the maxim's better yet,– THEN OH FORGIVE–BUT DON'T FORGET
- 2021, Nadine E. Dolby, Constructing Race: Youth, Identity, and Popular Culture in South Africa[2], page 101:
- Amanda feels strongly that it is necessary "to forgive, but don't forget. Don't forget what happened to you, but it's in the past, just leave it."