Apology Quote by Jonathan Miles
““I'm not sure the word "sorry" does anything justice. It's such a loose word isn't it? I mean how can one puny word encompass all the stuff you did - But also the, all the things you didn't do? It's the inactions that keep people up at night. The actions, they're done. They're done. It's the inactions that never go away. They just hang there. They ROT. How is sorry supposed to stretch across all that?””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Podcast episode with Jonathan Miles, 2023
The speaker argues that the word “sorry” is insufficient to capture the full weight of both actions taken and missed opportunities, especially the lingering guilt of inaction.
In simple terms: Sorry can’t fully express all regrets.
Acknowledge both actions and inactions.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- workplace apologies
- public statements
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you address regrets that words can’t cover?
- Can you repair harm without saying sorry?
Words may fail to convey deep remorse; actions speak louder.