Apologizing Quote by Friedrich Nietzsche
“When anyone apologizes to us he has to do it very expertly: otherwise we might easily come to see ourselves as the guilty party and experience unpleasant feelings.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Beyond Good and Evil, 1886
Apologies must be sincere; otherwise they can shift blame onto the listener, causing guilt and discomfort.
In simple terms: Insincere apologies can make you feel guilty.
Beware of manipulative apologies.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- conflict resolution
- leadership
- therapy
- negotiation
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you often feel guilty after others apologize?
- How can you discern genuine remorse?
If the apology feels forced, it may mask underlying issues.