Punishment is not the solution or the only to stop someone from doing something wrong. The secret lies in forgiving. This is an excerpt from the famous second inaugural speech by Abraham Lincoln, 10th President of U.S.A.
"I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit. For too long, every
ounce of forgiveness I owned was locked away, hidden from view, waiting
for me to bestow its precious presence upon some worthy person. Alas, I
found most people to be singularly unworthy of my valuable forgiveness,
and since they never asked for any, I kept it all for myself. Now, the
forgiveness that I hoarded has sprouted inside my heart like a crippled
seed yielding bitter fruit. No more. At this moment, my life has taken
on new hope and assurance. Of all the world’s population, I am one of
the few possessors of the secret to dissipating anger and resentment. I
now understand that forgiveness has value only when it is given away. By
the simple act of granting forgiveness, I release the demons of the
past about which I can do nothing, and I create in myself a new heart, a
new beginning. I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit.
"I will forgive even those who do not ask for forgiveness. Many are the times when I have seethed in anger at a word or deed thrown into my life by an unthinking or uncaring person. I have wasted valuable hours imagining revenge or confusion. Now I see the truth revealed about this psychological rock inside my shoe. The rage I nurture is often one-sided, for my offender seldom gives thought to his offense. I will now and forevermore silently offer my forgiveness even to those who do not see that they need it. By the act of forgiving, I am no longer consumed by unproductive thoughts. I give up my bitterness. I am content in my soul and effective again with my fellow man.
"I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit. I will forgive those who criticize me unjustly. Knowing that slavery in any form is wrong, I also know that the person who lives a life according to the opinion of others is a slave. I am not a slave. I have chosen my counsel.
"I know the difference between right and wrong. I know what is best for the future of my family, and neither misguided opinion nor unjust criticism will alter my course. Those who are critical of my goals and dreams simply do not understand the higher purpose to which I have been called. Therefore, their scorn does not affect my attitude or action. I forgive their lack of vision, and I forge ahead."
"I will forgive even those who do not ask for forgiveness. Many are the times when I have seethed in anger at a word or deed thrown into my life by an unthinking or uncaring person. I have wasted valuable hours imagining revenge or confusion. Now I see the truth revealed about this psychological rock inside my shoe. The rage I nurture is often one-sided, for my offender seldom gives thought to his offense. I will now and forevermore silently offer my forgiveness even to those who do not see that they need it. By the act of forgiving, I am no longer consumed by unproductive thoughts. I give up my bitterness. I am content in my soul and effective again with my fellow man.
"I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit. I will forgive those who criticize me unjustly. Knowing that slavery in any form is wrong, I also know that the person who lives a life according to the opinion of others is a slave. I am not a slave. I have chosen my counsel.
"I know the difference between right and wrong. I know what is best for the future of my family, and neither misguided opinion nor unjust criticism will alter my course. Those who are critical of my goals and dreams simply do not understand the higher purpose to which I have been called. Therefore, their scorn does not affect my attitude or action. I forgive their lack of vision, and I forge ahead."
-Abraham Lincoln
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