Chronic remorse, as all the moralists are agreed, is a…
““Chronic remorse, as all the moralists are agreed, is a most undesirable sentiment. If you have behaved badly, repent, make what amends you can and address yourself to the task of behaving better next time. On no account brood over your wrong-doing. Rolling in the muck is not the best way of getting clean.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Remorse should motivate repair, not endless self‑pity; act to fix harm and improve future behavior.
In simple terms: Remorse is okay if it leads to better actions.
Key Takeaway
Fix mistakes, then move forward.
Themes
responsibility
self‑improvement
forgiveness
Mood
reflective
encouraging
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- workplace errors
- public apologies
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
ethical growth
psychology of guilt
moral philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you turn guilt into productive change?
- What habits help you avoid dwelling on past errors?
A Different Perspective
Excessive rumination can paralyze and prevent constructive change.