Quote by Maria Dąbrowska: “To understand, one must forgive. To forgive, one must understand.”

Dąbrowska presents a profound paradox about empathy and reconciliation. She suggests that true forgiveness is impossible without grasping the underlying reasons for an action, and conversely, a deep understanding often naturally leads to the capacity for mercy. They are intertwined processes.

This sentiment reflects the complex interpersonal relationships and moral struggles depicted in *Noce i dnie*. Dąbrowska often explored the nuances of human interaction, reconciliation, and the profound journey towards peace within individuals and communities.

Polish novelist whose four-volume work Nights and Days is considered one of the greatest achievements of twentieth-century Polish prose. Her writing chronicled the lives of the Polish intelligentsia and landed gentry across decades of upheaval, from the late nineteenth century through the Second World War. She was a committed humanist and social activist throughout her long career.