There is hardly an offence so great but if it be frankly apologised for
it is easily both forgiven and forgotten. There is hardly an offence so
small but it rankles if he who has committed it does not express
proportionate regret. Expressions of regret help genuine regret and
induce amendment of life, much as digging a channel helps water to flow,
though it does not make the water. If a man refuses to make them and
habitually indulges his own selfishness at the expense of what is due to
other people, he is no better than a drunkard or a debauchee, and I have
no more respect for him than I have for the others.
We all like to forgive, and we all love best not those who offend us
least, nor those who have done most for us, but those who make it most
easy for us to forgive them.
So a man may lose both his legs and live for years in health if the
amputation has been clean and skilful, whereas a pea in his boot may set
up irritation which must last as long as the pea is there and may in the
end kill him.