Elegant Expressions of Apology
Below are some of the most beautiful expressions of apology:
- I’m not great at saying I’m sorry, but I sincerely apologize and hope you can forgive me.
- Forgiveness doesn’t change the past, but it gives us a better chance to improve the future. I am truly sorry.
- What I did was wrong, and I hope you can forgive me.
- I feel terrible for hurting you; please accept my apology.
- I made grave mistakes that harmed you, yet I care about you more than anyone else. I am deeply sorry.
- I apologize for the pain I caused you; I feel extremely remorseful.
Insights on Apology
- An apology from a fool is worse than their misdeeds.
- There are mistakes for which an apology won’t suffice.
- Those who apologize often feel guilty.
- A cold apology is a second insult.
- Avoid excessive apologies; often lies accompany excuses.
- Do not sully an apology with justifications.
- Insincere apologies lacking genuine emotion are worse than no apology at all, as they can feel like an affront to the recipient. An apology delivered without grace wounds like salt in a wound.
- An apology given at an inappropriate time is like offering cold coffee.
- An apology loses its value when repeated mistakes occur after the same apology.
- Steer clear of those who lack the courage to apologize, lest you lose your self-respect while forgiving their insults and mistakes, which they don’t deem worthy of an apology, leading to further repetition and contempt.
- We must cultivate a culture of apology within our society, teaching our children the importance of saying sorry and reinforcing this virtue when we observe them doing so.
- Express your feelings of remorse to those around you; uncommunicated sorrow whispers to the troubled heart until it breaks.
- The harm caused by humans lingers after they are gone, while good deeds are buried with their ashes, and mere apologies do not suffice.
- When everything around you fails, refrain from placing your trust in it again; instead, learn to live without it without the cost of an apology.
- Do not harm yourself by tolerating relationships that provoke you, bring you pain, and are filled with distrust, and lack of concern for apologies.
- There are three types of people you should never advise: the arrogant intellectual, the rebellious adolescent, and a friend who doesn’t apologize for their mistakes.
- When you laugh in embarrassment over your own actions, even in solitude, realize that you are at the highest level of shame, and owe an apology to yourself, as true etiquette begins with being ashamed in front of oneself.
- He wished to show her beautiful paintings, beautiful films, and lovely things, as he himself was not beautiful, and this served as his apology.
- Life is a stage; whether we like it or not, we have paid for the ticket, and it is too late for apologies.
- I can forgive you for a variety of mistakes, but I will not forgive you for repeating the same mistake twice, and your apology will hold no value for me.
- Wisdom and foolishness spread quickly like contagious diseases; hence, choose your companions wisely, and refrain from excessive apologies.
- In the code of the faithful, reprimand occurs twice, and the third time wishes you all the best; there is no time for insincere excuses.
- The wise do not dwell on the pains of the past but instead use the present to avoid future sufferings and shy away from the humiliation of apologies.
- Never be harsh with: a woman, a child, a servant, or one who comes to you with an apology.
- We must offer sincere apologies, acknowledging the hurt caused to others. We all make mistakes, and when we recognize them, we should hasten to apologize; this demonstrates courage, love, self-confidence, and strength of character.
Beautiful Phrases of Regret and Forgiveness
- Mutual respect ensures that mistakes are forgivable, regardless of their magnitude; without respect, forgiving is impossible, and without apologies, continuity is unattainable.
- Forgiveness is a noble principle once everyone understands their rights and duties; apologies serve as a stronghold to protect society.
- Falling into error does not annoy me, as it is something to forgive; instead, what frustrates me is the insistence on denying mistakes and failing to apologize.
- Unconditional forgiveness and apology will ultimately lead to the disappearance of forgiveness itself.
- Forgiveness and apology become wrongful acts when applied to evil.
- If you seek things that can encompass everyone, pursue forgiveness, freedom, dialogue, and apology.
- I long to voyage to a new land, a distant land, an untainted land free from human sins, where I can traverse between planets one day, sleep in the moon’s embrace another day, sing like birds at times, and shade like trees at other times; I desire to move to the land of love, the land of forgiveness, where apology is the key to every heart, and a realm of peace for all mankind.
- Though I do not favor the words “forgiveness” and “apology,” I find no better substitutes for them.
- Forgiveness empowers the strength of accepting an apology and extends its capabilities to achieve success.
- He who cannot forgive builds a bridge that he himself must cross.
- No revenge is more complete than forgiveness and acceptance of an apology.
Touching Words of Regret and Apology
- We are a nation that struggles with the art of apology; when we apologize, it often comes out as false, such as: I’m sorry, but… or, I’m sorry you didn’t understand me, without feeling any genuine remorse.
- Regret for silence is better than regret for speaking and the subsequent need for apology.
- Being certain is better than having to apologize and regret.
- Regret is a trait of the elderly.
- Regret is the natural inheritance of the aged.
- The luxuries of the world are the roots of pain, and the seeker of worldly pleasures is a companion of regret, so remain free of its burdens, for all it contains is sorrow and distress.
- A deficiency in faith, manners, regret upon error, and acceptance of rebuke are ailments with no cure.
- I often regret not being as wise as I was on the day of my birth.
- I have never regretted my silence, but I have repeatedly regretted my words.
- Those who squander their youth will lament their lost moments of joy when harvest time comes.
- Repentance has both a spirit and a body: its spirit is the realization of the ugliness of sin, and its body is the abstention from it and remorse for committing it.
Poetic Verses on Apology
Nizar Qabbani
.. I offer my apology:
For your sad face, akin to the late afternoon sun:
.. For the writings I inscribed:
.. For the foolish deeds I committed:
For everything that I stirred around you, creating dust:
.. I present my apology:
For every wicked poem I penned:
.. In my moment of breakdown:
For poetry, my friend, is both my exile and my demise:
.. My purity and my shame:
And I never wish to burden you with my indecency:
For this reason, my friend, I come:
.. To express my apology:
.. I present my apology:
Mohammed Darwish
I dreamt of a childhood wedding
With wide-open eyes
I dreamt of the one with braided hair.
I dreamed of an olive tree that cannot be sold
For just a few coins.
I dreamt of the impenetrable walls of your history.
I dreamt of the fragrance of almonds
Igniting the sorrow of long nights.
In my dreams of family…
I dreamt of my sister’s hand
Wrapping around me like a shawl of heroism.
I dreamt of a summer night
With a basket of figs.
I have dreamed much.
I have dreamed a lot… So forgive me!
Imam Al-Shafi’i
He said:
Accept the excuses of one who comes to you apologizing,
Whether they are truthful or justifiable.
Indeed, they have obeyed you whose outward appearance appeases you,
And revered are those who offend you while hiding their faults.
He also said:
I was told that someone is grieving for you,
And it is a disgrace for a man to dwell in humiliation.
I responded, “He came to me with an excuse,
The atonement for a sin in our eyes is an apology.”