Quotes about Repentance

But listen, there will be more joy in heaven over the tears of a repentant sinner than over the white robes of a hundred just men.

Yes, resumed the Bishop, you have come from a very sad place. Listen. There will be more joy in heaven over the tear-bathed face of a repentant sinner than over the white robes of a hundred just men. If you emerge from that sad place with thoughts of hatred and of wrath against mankind, you are deserving of pity; if you emerge with thoughts of good-will and of peace, you are more worthy than any one of us.

You have come from an unhappy place. But listen. There is more rejoicing in Heaven over the tears of one sinner who repents than over the white robes of a hundred who are virtuous. If you leave your place of suffering with hatred in your heart, and anger against men, you will be deserving of our pity; but if you leave with goodwill, in gentleness and peace, you will have risen above any of us.

High justice would in no way be debased if ardent love should cancel instantly the debts these penitents must satisfy.

I've said this before, Lord, but I'm so sorry for all the stupid choices I've made. I want to start over, with your guidance. I can't afford to make mistakes now. Will you turn up the volume on your voice, and turn mine down? Will you give me that wisdom you promised if we ask?

Far better it is for you to say: "I am a sinner," than to say: "I have no need of religion." The empty can be filled, but the self-intoxicated have no room for God.

Couples don't fall out of love so much as they fall out of repentance.

as a general lassitude overtakes the sated Turk; then a love of ease and virtue supplants the love for maidens; our Ottoman enters upon the impotent, repentant, admonitory stage of life, forswears, disbands the harem, and grown to an exemplary, sulky old soul, goes about all alone among the meridians and parallels saying his prayers, and warning each young Leviathan from his amorous errors.

Thy conscience may be drawing ten inches of water, or ten fathoms, I can't tell; but as thou art still an impenitent man [...] I greatly fear lest thy conscience be but a leaky one; and will in the end sink thee foundering down to the fiery pit.

I think the key to passion, to zeal, is gratitude. Or to put it another way, the fuel to motivate is gratitude, and gratitude comes by just backing up a little and realizing how much you've sinned against God.

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation upon which sincere and meaningful repentance must be built. If we truly seek to put away sin, we must first look to Him who is the Author of our salvation.

To truly repent of a big thing, you have to go into it with your heart open and force yourself to deal with it at that level and to apologize to God.