--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Being sorry is the highest act of…" description: "\"Being sorry is the highest act of selfishness, seeing value only after discarding it.\" — Douglas Horton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2dc/douglas-horton-11608_seeing_being-sorry-is-the-highest-act-of-selfis_64302.png" --- # Being sorry is the highest act of selfishness, seeing… ![“Being sorry is the highest act of selfishness, seeing value only after discarding it.” quote by Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2dc/douglas-horton-11608_seeing_being-sorry-is-the-highest-act-of-selfis_64302.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2dc/douglas-horton-11608_seeing_being-sorry-is-the-highest-act-of-selfis_64302.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2dc/douglas-horton-11608_seeing_being-sorry-is-the-highest-act-of-selfis_64302.png) > “Being sorry is the highest act of selfishness, seeing value only after discarding it.” [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Selfishness can manifest as remorse when one finally recognizes the worth of something only after letting it go. **In simple terms:** Regret reveals hidden value. Key Takeaway Loss prompts appreciation. Themes self-awareness regret value perception human motivation ethical reflection Mood reflective melancholic thoughtful Type aphorism philosophical observation When to use this quote - after a breakup - post‑career change - ending a friendship - discarding a habit - selling a cherished item Key Concepts selfishness remorse valuation loss Practical Applications - personal growth coaching - ethical decision‑making workshops Questions to Reflect On - What does this say about our timing of appreciation? - Can remorse ever be truly self‑less? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Act Selfishness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/act-selfishness-862135/) [Discarding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discarding-862138/) [Seeing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seeing/) [Selfishness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfishness/) [Selfishness Seeing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfishness-seeing-862136/) [Sorry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sorry/) [Value Discarding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/value-discarding-862137/) ## Related quotes > [“He asked me not to kill myself - asked, not told. 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But the surest… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-wells/there-are-many-ways-of-discarding-books-you-can-give-them-to-friends/) [Carolyn Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-wells/) > [If the whole process of learning from failure means discarding stuff that's not working, but in fact, our natural reaction is to keep going,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-harford/if-the-whole-process-of-learning-from-failure-means-discarding-stuff/) [Tim Harford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-harford/) > [“I now know that deep within the human concept is something dark, selfish, and completely willing to do whatever is necessary to support the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-west/i-now-know-that-deep-within-the-human-concept-is-something-dark/) [Melissa West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-west/) > [“ever day Maureen is Selfish To her friend and Family One she get mad at her friend and family and She need to Grad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-andeson/ever-day-maureen-is-selfish-to-her-friend-and-family-one-she-get-mad/) [Maureen Andeson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-andeson/) ## More by Douglas Horton > [Why ask why? If it's raining it just is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/why-ask-why-if-it-s-raining-it-just-is/) [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) > [The more we are filled with thoughts of lust the less we find true romantic love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/the-more-we-are-filled-with-thoughts-of-lust-the-less-we-find-true/) [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) > [If wishes were fishes we'd all be throwing nets. 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