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My mother had told me to never be afraid to apologize when…

“My mother had told me to never be afraid to apologize when I was wrong. She had said it would have saved her and my father a great deal of trouble if they had only followed that rule. Then she had sighed, and added that I must never think that an apology could completely erase what I had done or…” quote by Robin Hobb
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““My mother had told me to never be afraid to apologize when I was wrong. She had said it would have saved her and my father a great deal of trouble if they had only followed that rule. Then she had sighed, and added that I must never think that an apology could completely erase what I had done or said. Still, it was worth trying.””

Robin Hobb

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Apologizing is valuable, but it cannot fully undo harm; sincerity matters more than perfection.

In simple terms: Apologize sincerely, but don’t expect it to erase everything.

Key Takeaway

Apologize, accept limits.

Themes

humility relationships communication

Mood

reflective empathetic

Type

literary advice

When to use this quote

  • family disputes
  • workplace errors
  • public statements
  • conflict resolution

Key Concepts

ethics forgiveness personal responsibility

Questions to Reflect On

  • When is an apology enough?
  • How can you repair damage beyond words?
A Different Perspective

Apologies may be rejected or seen as insufficient.

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