Man in pardoning shames the culprit, and the fear of shame prevents the child from asking forgiveness. The good God pardons with goodness. His forgiveness is a grace which restores honor, purifies, sanctifies, embellishes. It is one same act to be pardoned and to become holy. It at once restores the robe of innocence, the white robe. One abases himself only to be raised up immediately by mercy.
--St. Peter Julian Eymard
