to err is human; to forgive, divine

English

Etymology

An extended form of earlier to err is human (a calque of Latin errāre hūmānum est) from the poem An Essay on Criticism (written in 1709, published in 1711) by Alexander Pope; see quotation.

Proverb

to err is human; to forgive, divine

1. Extended form of to err is human
   • 1709, [Alexander Pope], An Essay on Criticism, London: […] W. Lewis […], published 1711, →OCLC, page 30:

     Now thoſe that reach Parnaſſus’ lofty Crown, / Employ their Pains to ſpurn ſome others down; / And while Self-Love each jealous Writer rules, / Contending Wits become the Sport of Fools: / But ſtill the Worſt with moſt Regret commend, / And each Ill Author is as bad a Friend. / To what baſe Ends, and by what abject Ways, / Are Mortals urg’d by Sacred Luſt of Praiſe? / Ah ne’er ſo dire a Thirſt of Glory boaſt, / Nor in the Critick let the Man be loſt! / Good-Nature and Good-Senſe muſt ever join; / To Err is Humane; to Forgive, Divine.