Never Ruin an Apology with an Excuse

“Never ruin an apology with an excuse.”

-Benjamin Franklin

“I am sorry.”  Three little words that most times will stand alone and convey that which needs to be expressed, yet most apologies are spoken with many words and often incorporate an excuse or multiple excuses.

Justification of wrong is a weakness of character that guides many through life and finds its root in pride, for it is pride and ego that seeks to justify wrongs.  There is no justification for evil and for doing that which is hurtful, unkind, or cruel.

We often seek to apologize with justification, and it is our need to clarify or justify our wrongs that keeps us in a place of selfishness, for is it not selfish and prideful to do wrong and then seek to blame others or justify the wrong that we have committed?  “I was wrong and I am sorry, please forgive me,” are words easy to understand yet often difficult to say when the heart of pride seeks to justify our wrongs with an excuse.