The abbot asked his favourite pupil how his spiritual progress was coming along.
The pupil answered that he was managing to dedicate to God each and every moment of the day.
“Then all that’s left now is to forgive your enemies.”
The young man was shocked: “But I’m not angry at my enemies!”
“Do you think God is angry at you?”
“Of course, not!”
“And even so you ask Him to forgive you, don’t you? Do the same with your enemies, even though you don’t feel hatred for them. Those who practice forgiveness wash and perfume their own hearts.”
Paulo Coelho
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Paulo Coelho de Souza (born Aug. 24, 1947) is a Brazilian lyricist and novelist. His 1988 novel The Alchemist was an international best-seller.
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