This is an idea I got today from the Seablogger, who is usually a good read. A thoughtful, lately-become-religious fellow. I share his belief in G-d, if not his particular creed. The expression refers to people who are able to go to their own death without continuing to blame others for perceived or actual wrongs. To forgive them, even reassure them, when one’s own end is near.
My own father, despite his religious belief, was unable to do it. But I suspect it is not a common thing. Indeed, I’ve only known one who achieved it. He was a scientist, and so I could presume that he was not religious, since so few of them seem to be nowadays. But, then, I really don’t know. If he wasn’t, if he had nothing to gain, so to speak, that makes his compassion in death all the more impressive.
THE TEXAS SCRIBBLER 
If the wrongs were fictitious, there is nothing to forgive: on the contrary, you should apologize for acusing them falsely.
You shouldn’t forget others for actual wrongs. Especially if they themselves have no intention of being sorry for the things they did.
At the dead bed or 20 years earlier – doesn’t matter.
To turn to Sullivan for some sort of authority on ethics id like asking marriage councelling from a prostitute.
“forgive” others, not “forget”. An automatic typo.
Although, I’d rather forget than forgive.
You shouldn’t be so tough on Alan. He’s as good a repository of ideas as you are. Being closer to dying than you are, he may even be better on this subject. All those years in the Soviet Union made you hard, Tatyana.
Poor old SU has nothing to do with my…should we say…distaste (disappointment is too mild).
Alan Sullivan is not the man he likes to impersonate. Do not trust him.
I don’t trust him on everything. But on this subject, I agree with him. He wasn’t talking about forgiving, say, murder or some other criminal act. Only the disagreements we all have with each other which shouldn’t, I agree, be taken to the grave.
He has no business to talk bout ethics, is what I’m saying. A dishonest traitor has no right to preach forgiveness.
How, pardon me, could a blogger be a dishonest traitor? Whom can a blogger dishonestly (or honestly) betray?
Me.