Every Sinner has a Future

There is a quote I come back to often: “Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.” Attributed to Oscar Wilde, it might sound like a clever line, but for me, it carries a truth that has shaped how I view myself, others, and the world around me. Life, as we know it, isn’t a straight path of good or bad choices; it is more like a winding road filled with detours, setbacks, and occasional breakthroughs. Oh yes, I have had my share of making mistakes – some that I’m not proud of, but I have also grown in ways I never dreamed possible! This quote tells me very clearly that people are never defined solely by their past, and that no one is beyond redemption. It also reminds me that moral standing is not a fixed attribute but a dynamic and evolving part of the human journey.

 

We all know that saints were not always virtuous, and sinners are not permanently condemned. St.Paul, for instance, was once Saul of Tarsus, a persecutor of Christians, before experiencing a profound spiritual conversion that led him to become one of the most influential apostles. St.Augustine, one of the most revered theologians, lived a rather hedonistic youth before undergoing a transformative awakening and writing “The Confessions”, a deeply introspective treatise on sin and grace. Then there is the well-known story of the Prodigal Son, or the story of Angulimala, a feared murderer who becomes a devout monk upon meeting the Buddha. These stories reflect the belief that people are not defined by their worst moments. We create ourselves through our actions and choices. Our past may inform who we are, but it does not (and should not) dictate who we must become. The ‘saint’ was once a flawed individual who chose a better path, while the ‘sinner’ possesses the same capacity to choose differently. The future is open. Morality is a journey, not a destination.

 

Growing up, I used to believe that people fell into one of two categories: good or bad. Maybe it was the way morality was taught – simple, clear, absolute. Heroes and villains, saints and sinners. But as I got older and experienced life, I realized that the best of us too can make, or have made, abominable mistakes. Conversely, the so-called sinner can have, or would have had, a change of mind and heart. The pathway of such a conversion (inner) is, I believe, a testament to the power of self-awareness, education, reflection and, above all, spiritual awakening. Reflecting on my own past, I can see how some of the decisions I have made were out of fear, ignorance, insecurity, or even pride. I have said and done things I regret, and hurt people unintentionally. Oh, the folly of youth! But thank God I am not where I used to be. Have come to understand that our mistakes are part of the process and not the end of the story. 

 

  At its core, this quote is a message of hope. It reassures those of us who have made mistakes that our future is not lost. It invites self-forgiveness and encourages us to take responsibility for our lives rather than resign ourselves to guilt or despair. At the same time, it warns those who currently occupy positions of virtue not to be governed by arrogance or complacency, for, past goodness does not guarantee continued righteousness. Therefore, vigilance, humility and continued effort should be our ever-faithful travelling companions. Matthew 26:41 eloquently and effectively encapsulates this very idea – “watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

 

I regard compassion too as another message here – for others as well as ourselves. We live in a time where people are quick to cancel, criticize and condemn. Social media makes it easy to reduce one to a headline or a soundbite. But we are not summaries. We are stories. Complex, contradictory, evolving stories. I’ve also learned that redemption isn’t a one-time thing, because true growth takes time. Change isn’t about convincing others; it is about becoming the version of yourself you can live with.

 

There are other hidden gems that speak volumes to me – a cautionary part – “every saint has a past.” Reminds me not to idolize people because no one is flawless; has made me a better listener and a more thoughtful human being. When someone tells me something they have done that they regret, I try not to flinch, not to judge. I know what it’s like to want a second chance, to need someone to believe in you when you don’t quite believe in yourself. I’ve also learnt to be more patient with my own journey. There were times I wanted to rush to some ideal version of myself, but realized soon that growth is messy and healing, nonlinear, but the important thing is to keep on keeping on. We are all works in progress and no one is defined by who they were yesterday.

 

In a world quick to judge and slow to forgive, Oscar Wilde’s words is a reminder that nobody is beyond redemption, no one is above reproach. Whether we see ourselves as saints or sinners or somewhere in-between, we need to remember that our past does not imprison us and that our future is still being written. And sometimes, the greatest redemption stories are born from the deepest wounds.