Forgiveness and reconciliation: Paradise lost or pragmatism?

Abstract

“Amongst men, forgiveness can only mean: to give up vengeance, to keep quiet and do as if nothing happened, which means: to walk away by principle, while vengeance will always remain with the other and does not put an end to the relationship. … Reconciliation, on the other hand, originates in the acceptance of what befalls us. … Whoever reconciles with the other just accepts to carry on his shoulder the burden that, anyhow, weighs on the other. This means that it re-establishes equality. This is why reconciliation is the exact opposite of forgiveness which establishes inequality.” (Hannah Arendt cited in Maggiori, 2005, section entitled Un ange passe, para. 2).