Apologizing Quote by Maggie Nelson
““I edit myself into a boldness that is neither native or foreign to me. At times I grow tired of this approach, and all its gendered baggage. Over the years I’ve had to train myself to wipe the ‘sorry’ off almost every work e-mail I write; otherwise, each might begin, Sorry for the delay, Sorry for the confusion, Sorry for 'whatever’. 'One only has to read interviews with outstanding women to hear them apologizing’ [Monique Wittig]. But I don’t intend to denigrate the power of apology: I keep in my 'sorry’ when I really mean it. And certainly there are many speakers whom I’d like to see do more trembling, more unknowing, more apologizing.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “Apology and Gender” in *The Argonauts*, 2015
Nelson critiques the ingrained habit of apologizing in professional communication, especially for women, urging a balance between necessary apologies and over‑apologizing that undermines authority.
In simple terms: Women often over‑apologize at work, weakening their voice.
Key Takeaway
Limit unnecessary apologies to preserve confidence.
Themes
gender dynamics
communication
professionalism
self‑assertion
Mood
critical
empowering
Type
essay
reflective
When to use this quote
- workplace emails
- meeting discussions
- career advancement
Key Concepts
apology culture
email etiquette
gendered language
Questions to Reflect On
- How often do you say sorry?
- What impact does apologizing have on your credibility?
A Different Perspective
Changing habits can be socially uncomfortable.
