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Explaining "To err is human, to forgive divine"

Reviewed and edited by Anwar Kareem 26/10/2024, 14:53
English.me team member

What does it mean?

To err is human, to forgive divine

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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