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Explaining “To err is human, to forgive divine”
Anwar Kareem 26/10/2024, 14:53English.me team member
What does it mean?
The phrase suggests that making mistakes is a natural human trait, while forgiving others is a noble, divine quality.
Tone
Reflective and philosophical
Origin
The phrase is derived from Alexander Pope's poem "An Essay on Criticism," published in 1711.
Examples of usage
- Remembering that "to err is human, to forgive divine," she chose to forgive her friend for the misunderstanding.
- When dealing with conflict, it's important to keep in mind that to err is human, to forgive divine.
- He reminded himself that to err is human, to forgive divine, as he decided to let go of the past grievances.
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