This expression, as we have it in this longer version, is attributable to a very popular English poet, Alexander Pope (1688-1744).
Before Pope came up with this longer version, the expression to err is human was in existence, it being the traditional English translation of the ancient Latin proverb: “Errare humanum est.”
Pope created his version in line 525 of his poem: An Essay on Criticism Part 11, published in 1711.
In the same poem we have expressions such as A little learning is dangerous and fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
The original lines in Pope’s poem are:
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.
Pope’s original word is humane, not human as we now have it in the expression.
No spelling mistake is involved here, nor have we misunderstood the poet’s meaning.
Humane happened to be the accepted spelling of human in the early 18th century.
The meaning of “to err is human; to forgive, divine” is that every human can make a mistake, so we should forgive those who make mistakes; just as God is said to show His divine mercy in forgiving sinners.
In other words, Pope is saying that while anyone can make a mistake, we should aspire to do as God does; that is, show mercy and forgive sinners.
