Quote of the Day: Olin Miller on War & Peace

We often believe forgiveness is proof of moral superiority, something you “should” do if you’re evolved enough. But relief, not virtue, is what most of us are secretly chasing. That’s why Olin Miller’s line lands with such uncomfortable accuracy: “It’s far easier to forgive an enemy after you’ve got even with him.”

He’s not endorsing revenge; he’s diagnosing the mechanics of resentment. When someone hurts us, we don’t only want an apology, we want our sense of balance back. Until we feel whole again, “forgive and forget” can sound like surrender. Getting even might be loud and public, but it’s often quieter: being heard, setting a boundary, telling the truth, or watching life correct what we couldn’t.

The practical takeaway is agency. If your forgiveness depends on “even,” define what “even” could look like without becoming someone you don’t respect. Sometimes it’s a direct conversation. Sometimes it’s choosing resilience over rehearsal, stopping the mental replay that keeps you tethered. And sometimes the most satisfying justice is rebuilding your dignity through small daily actions that make you proud to be you again.

Olin Miller earned his authority by turning everyday hypocrisy into clear, laugh-out-loud wisdom, an American writer and humorist whose essays and satirical observations didn’t just entertain; they exposed patterns in human nature we’re still trying to outgrow.

Today, pick one “clean” way to restore balance: write the message you’ve been avoiding, set one non-negotiable boundary, or take one concrete step that advances your life independent of the person who wronged you. Let that be your quiet justice, and may your humor and your heart get lighter as you move on.