35 Quotes On Apologizing Effectively

In the intricate dance of human interactions, apologies hold a unique power to mend bridges, heal wounds, and nurture relationships. Yet, crafting a sincere and effective apology often requires more than just uttering the words "I'm sorry." It demands empathy, understanding, and, above all, the ability to communicate remorse authentically. In this curated collection of top 35 quotes on apologizing effectively, we delve into the wisdom of thinkers, leaders, and everyday souls who have mastered the art of apology. Whether you’re seeking inspiration to repair a relationship or guidance on how to express regret sincerely, these quotes offer profound insights into the delicate balance of acknowledging wrongs and moving forward with grace and empathy.

1. “one thing I don’t needis any more apologiesi got sorry greetin me at my front dooryou can keep yrsi don’t know what to do wit emthey don’t open doorsor bring the sun backthey don’t make me happyor get a mornin paperdidn’t nobody stop usin my tears to wash carscuz a sorry.” - Ntozake Shange

2. “Sorry I painted the word 'twat' on your garage door.” - David Shrigley

3. “This is Just to Say I have eatenthe plumsthat were inthe iceboxand whichyou were probablysavingfor breakfastForgive methey were deliciousso sweetand so cold” - William Carlos Williams

4. “Never ruin an apology with an excuse.” - Benjamin Franklin

5. “Never forget the nine most important words of any family-I love you.You are beautiful.Please forgive me.” - H. Jackson Brown Jr.

6. “In this life, when you deny someone an apology,you will remember it at time you beg forgiveness.” - Toba Beta

7. “I wasn't saying whatever they're saying I was saying. I'm sorry I said it really. I never meant it to be a lousy anti-religious thing. I apologize if that will make you happy. I still don't know quite what I've done. I've tried to tell you what I did do but if you want me to apologize, if that will make you happy, then OK, I'm sorry.” - John Lennon

8. “-And I'm sorry too.-For what?-For calling you an asshole doctor.-That's okay.-Even though, technically, that is what you are.” - Astrid Amara

9. “I'm sorry if this all seems a little rushed and desperate. It is.” - Chuck Palahniuk

10. “It is always so simple, and so complicating, to accept an apology.” - Michael Chabon

11. “Chocolate says "I'm sorry" so much better than words.” - Rachel Vincent

12. “Nothing says you're sorry like a dead bunny.” - Patricia Briggs

13. “I do not think there is a demonstrative proof (like Euclid) of Christianity, nor of the existence of matter, nor of the good will and honesty of my best and oldest friends. I think all three are (except perhaps the second) far more probable than the alternatives. The case for Christianity in general is well given by Chesterton…As to why God doesn't make it demonstratively clear; are we sure that He is even interested in the kind of Theism which would be a compelled logical assent to a conclusive argument? Are we interested in it in personal matters? I demand from my friend trust in my good faith which is certain without demonstrative proof. It wouldn't be confidence at all if he waited for rigorous proof. Hang it all, the very fairy-tales embody the truth. Othello believed in Desdemona's innocence when it was proved: but that was too late. Lear believed in Cordelia's love when it was proved: but that was too late. 'His praise is lost who stays till all commend.' The magnanimity, the generosity which will trust on a reasonable probability, is required of us. But supposing one believed and was wrong after all? Why, then you would have paid the universe a compliment it doesn't deserve. Your error would even so be more interesting and important than the reality. And yet how could that be? How could an idiotic universe have produced creatures whose mere dreams are so much stronger, better, subtler than itself?” - C.S. Lewis

14. “I loved and adored you, but I drained you like a thirsty man at a spring. I loved what you could give me - your admiration, your acceptance, your love, your forgiveness. I forgot to love you for yourself.” - Jennifer Ashley

15. “An apology is the superglue of life! It can repair just about anything!!” - Lynn Johnston

16. “I’M SORRYI am developing a new board game. It’s called “I’m Sorry.” It’s also a form of “Self-Help Psychological Therapy!”You take turns moving around the board like Monopoly. But if you land on a Yellow or Green “I’m Sorry Space”… you have to make a Phone call. Both green and yellow cards are labeled- the same with things like: Your Ex, Parental figure, friend, co-worker, boss, children, etc. You get the point…If you land on the yellow space, the game stops, everyone gets quiet and you have to call that person up – on speakerphone. You apologize for something you’ve done in your past. Come on you know you are not perfect and you probably screwed up, hurt or disappointed everyone in your past at one time or another. So you call and you apologize. You explain what you did to them wrong if they forgive you, you move forward 10 places and everyone cheers! No forgiveness back- you move back to the beginning.If you land on the green space- it’s similar. But you call the person up and you try to explain to them how, in someway, they hurt you in the past. If they apologize… cheers and you move forward 10 spaces. No apology… move backward ten spaces. They curse at you- game over.In the original packaging of the yellow and green cards, are mixed in a set of “I’m Sorry Cards.” If you are lucky enough to get to pick up an “I’m Sorry Card,” it’s like a Get Out of Jail Free Card, and you don’t have to make the call.The only catch is that the cards come hermetically sealed. After opening up the package, and the cards are exposed to air, all of the “I’m Sorry Cards,” magically turn into “Deal With it Cards!” And so, you really never get a free ride. In reality, every time you pick up a yellow or green card, you have to- Deal with It!Of course you can always order a new factory set of sealed of “I’m Sorry Cards.” But they only last about 30 minutes and are very expensive, so you’ll have to play fast. Cute Game? Hey, don’t steal my idea!!!” - José N. Harris

17. “I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing.” - Plato

18. “How could he maintain the apology in his eyes without getting carried away by her cherubic innocence?” - Faraaz Kazi

19. “Would 'sorry' have made any difference? Does it ever? It's just a word. One word against a thousand actions.” - Sarah Ockler

20. “Oh, come on Em." He stopped walking and looked me in the eyes. His own were dark and shiny. "You know how I feel about you," he muttered."I do?"He stepped closer and whispered, "When you're around, music plays in my head."My eyes welled. "Music," I repeated softly."Well, you know." He grinned. "It's the Jaws theme. Da dum. Da dum.” - Jennifer Jabaley

21. “I am so sorry. I wish you knew even one tenth of one percent of how sorry I am. ...It was my fault. Can I kill myself here, or should I do it outside, so the mess on your carpet doesn't upset your mother?” - Laurie Halse Anderson

22. “My life is an apology for the life of my father.” - Kristin Cashore

23. “You can stay on the porch. Like how you left me on the floor outside our room.""I didn't know what else to do. You found the check, and I panicked.""That isn't an excuse.""I know. And I'm not saying that this is going to make up for it. I'm going to try, really try, to make you trust me again. I want you to trust me. I just... I couldn't sleep last night without you. It was the strangest thing, being in the room alone without you. I couldn't hear you breathing, and your laughter was gone and you were gone, and it was like a part of my life was missing. A big part. I tripped going to the bathroom and banged my head. See?" He pointed to a lovely gash on his forehead."And then I burned my hand on the toaster oven. And then my car wouldn't start. Again. I've never had such bad luck in my life.” - Chelsea M. Cameron

24. “It was never my intention to cause you pain. Whether you feel strongly or very little, that does not excuse thoughtless behavior." - Adam” - Jacquelyn Frank

25. “Mr. Upchurch,” she fumbled. “I . . . I must take my leave directly. But before I go, allow me to say how sorry I am for the callous way I treated you in the past. I regret it most keenly.” His heart squeezed even as he felt his brows rise. “Do you?” She swallowed. “I was wrong about you. I was wrong about a great many things.” - Julie Klassen

26. “An apology given just to appease one's conscience is self-serving and better left unspoken!” - Evinda Lepins

27. “Does Hallmark make a “Sorry I tried to drink your blood and touched you in a vaguely inappropriate manner” card? I settled for “How much do you remember?” - Molly Harper

28. “Sacrifice is at the heart of repentance. Without deeds, your apology is worthless.” - Bryan Davis

29. “I want to apologize to you, Nikki. Not just, ‘hey, sorry,’ but really. Apologize.” He paused, either to let her absorb it or to find his way, then he went on, “This is all still new to both of us. You and I came to each other with full lives, past baggage, careers, the works. Both of us. And this trip of mine, this was the first time since we got together that you’re seeing what my real work is like. I have the advantage of having gone on ride-along, so you—I get your life, inside and out. Me, I’m an investigative journalist. If I’m doing it right, I’m spending big stretches of time in places nobody else has the balls to go and under conditions most reporters wouldn’t put up with. That explains why I fell off the radar on my story. I told you I might before I left. But it’s no excuse for not calling you when I got in the clear. The only explanation I can give may sound flimsy, but it’s the truth. When I come off assignment, I have a routine. I sleep like the dead and write like the devil, in seclusion. It’s the way I’ve always done it. For years. But now—I realize something’s different now. I’m not the only one involved.“Now, if I could take back the past twenty-four hours, I would, but I can’t. What I can do, though, is say when I look at you now and see the hurt in you—the hurt I caused by being insensitive—I see pain I never want to bring to you again.” He let that sit there, then said, “Nikki, I apologize. I was wrong. And I am sorry.” - Richard Castle

30. “Man's greatest privilege is the discussion of virtue" Socrates in The Apology.” - Socrates

31. “A sincere apology is analogous to authentic repentance".~R. Alan Woods [2013]” - R. Alan Woods

32. “Here the first of the things that happened, happened. The first of the things important enough to notice and to remember afterward, among a great many trifling but kindred ones that were not. Some so slight they were not more than gloating, zestful glints of eye or curt hurtful gestures. (Once he accidentally poured a spurt of scalding tea on the back of a waitress' wrist, by not waiting long enough for the waitress to withdraw her hand in setting the cup down, and by turning his head momentarily the other way. The waitress yelped, and he apologized, but he showed his teeth as he did so, and you don't show your teeth in remorse).” - Cornell Woolrich

33. “I’m sorry.’ The two most inadequate words in the English language.” - Beth Revis

34. “I was wrong to insult you, and not only because you are my hosts. I am afraid that I mistook kindness for weakness. My apologies. I stand - only with your aid - profoundly corrected.” - Beth Fantaskey

35. “The one thing you should never do to a woman, whether you make love to her or fuck her, is apologise straight after.” - Dianna Hardy