Why forgive?

E. H. Chapin was quoted as saying: "Never does the human soul appear so strong and noble as when it forgoes revenge and dares to forgive an injury". I believe Chapin understood what the majority of the world ignores. How is forgiveness daring? Is revenge not a matter of honour? We tend to think of pardon as a naive act of pacifism, but it is more than letting the wrongdoer off easy. Surprisingly, there is no greater revenge than forgiveness. Yet we are too easily distracted by vengeance to consider the power of mercy.
Why do people choose to take revenge? After being harmed, it is only nat…