It leaves them in the memory.

That day when I blotted my copybook at school, to have had the teacher forgive me ever so kindly would not have made me feel the least bit better so long as the blot was there.

It wasn't any penalty from without, but the hurt to my own pride which the spot made, that I wanted taken away, so I might get heart to go on.

Supposing one of you--and you'll excuse me for asking you to put yourself a moment in my place--had picked a pocket.

Would it make a great deal of difference in your state of mind that the person whose pocket you had picked kindly forgave you, and declined to prosecute?
Your offence against him was trifling, and easily repaired.