Forgiveness, therefore, may be an attempt to mend fences or build bridges, to make some sort of overture to another to restore a strained or broken relationship. Sometimes, maybe often, that will work beautifully. But, just as often perhaps, it may not include any such attempt. The best way to love one’s “enemies” in some specific instances may, in fact, be to leave them alone entirely, get distance from them, and simply do no harm to them either by word or deed. Forgiveness of a psychological or physical abuser may precisely be to escape further harm at his or her hands and tongue. One can
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