I think forgiveness depends on four things.
1) The degree of the wrong that is done. If someone kills someone else through negligence but not intension, it is still very hard to forgive. Murder > stealing, etc.
2) The importance of the person. People tend to forgive family members a lot, girls tend to forgive guys they love when they should leave the guy. We tend to forgive friends, and seem to what to punish people we do not like!
Worse thing is when important people are forgiven in the justice system. This even happens in countries with good legal systems. For example, Richard Nixon was pardoned after the Watergate incident even though the crime he commited would have landed any other person time in jail.
3) The degree of punishment could also show forgiveness. A token punishment can be forgiveness.
4) As Kon-Tiki correctly points out. The remorse or pride someone shows after an act can affect the degree of forgiveness. Even with the law not looking proud but showing remorse or submissive behaviour :crazy: can get you forgiveness. Prime example is kissing a cops behind so you don't get a ticket for speeding!
Mercy, is what Sly pointed out.
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