“The Chafetz Chaim once had to testify in a Polish court as a character witness on behalf of a student who was falsely accused of a crime.  After the Chafetz Chaim testified that his student’s integrity was beyond reproach, the student’s lawyer told the judge, “I would like to give the court a glimpse of the greatness of this Rabbi.  A thief once stole something from him, and he pursued him shouting, ‘It’s yours! I forgive you!’ in order that the thief should not be guilty of sinning because of him.”  

The judge was skeptical, and asked the lawyer, “Do you really believe that story?”

“Of course, I did not personally witness it,” replied the lawyer. “But honorable judge, people do not relate such stories about you and me.” ~ R’ Zelig Pliskin