<p>This article examines the intersection of justice, forgiveness, and the promise through the lens of Paul Ricoeur’s philosophical anthropology, particularly as articulated in his later works. While rooted in phenomenology and hermeneutics, the inquiry situates these concepts within the domain of legal theory, with a focus on their potential to complement and transcend the limitations of institutional justice. The analysis highlights how juridical systems, premised on equivalence and coercion, often fail to address the symbolic, emotional, and relational dimensions of harm. Ricoeur’s concept of forgiveness—as a disinterested gift—and the promise—as a commitment grounded in trust rather than obligation—are explored as non-institutional acts capable of renewing human capacities undermined by guilt, debt, or historical trauma. Drawing on anthropological theories of exchange and mutuality, the article frames both forgiveness and the promise within the symbolic economy of the gift, arguing that these acts disrupt cycles of vengeance and open a horizon of ethical transformation. Special attention is paid to their dialogical and asymmetrical structures, their resistance to institutionalisation, and their capacity to reconstitute personal and collective identity. By illuminating the ethical potential of forgiveness and promise, the article proposes a supplementary logic of mutuality that enhances restorative and transitional justice practices. Ultimately, it argues that these acts are essential for re-establishing trust, dignity, and moral agency in contexts where legal mechanisms alone prove insufficient.</p>