--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I engaged in behavior which was…" description: "\"I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment. I'm 23 years old and despite the successes I've had in the pool, I acted in ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c77/michael-phelps-2388_am-sorry_i-engaged-in-behavior-which-was-regretta_2828698.jpg" --- # I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and… ![“I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment. I'm 23 years old and despite the successes I've had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it…” quote by Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c77/michael-phelps-2388_am-sorry_i-engaged-in-behavior-which-was-regretta_2828698.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c77/michael-phelps-2388_am-sorry_i-engaged-in-behavior-which-was-regretta_2828698.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c77/michael-phelps-2388_am-sorry_i-engaged-in-behavior-which-was-regretta_2828698.jpg) > “I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment. I'm 23 years old and despite the successes I've had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again.” [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He admits a lapse in judgment, apologizes, and pledges better behavior. **In simple terms:** He made a mistake and is sorry. Key Takeaway Own the error and commit to change. Themes responsibility apology growth Mood remorseful reflective Type apology personal statement When to use this quote - sportsmanship - media scrutiny - role model duties Key Concepts ethics public image personal development Questions to Reflect On - How will you demonstrate change? - What steps will prevent recurrence? A Different Perspective Apologies may not fully restore trust without consistent action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acted Youthful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acted-youthful-3642528/) [Am sorry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/am-sorry/) [Behavior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behavior/) [Behavior Regrettable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behavior-regrettable-3642527/) [Despite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/despite/) [Engaged](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/engaged/) [Fans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fans/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Happens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happens/) [I am sorry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-am-sorry/) [I promise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-promise/) [Inappropriate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inappropriate/) [Judgment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judgment/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Pool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pool/) [Pool Acted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pool-acted-3642529/) [Promise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/promise/) [Regrettable Demonstrated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regrettable-demonstrated-3642530/) [Sorry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sorry/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) [Youthful Inappropriate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/youthful-inappropriate-3642531/) ## Related quotes > [I am sorry to upset my colleagues by saying we wasted four years in opposition, but if you do get so badly defeated as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-clarke/i-am-sorry-to-upset-my-colleagues-by-saying-we-wasted-four-years-in/) [Kenneth Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-clarke/) > [I am sorry " I murmured. "I know. I ought not to have threatened to beat you " he returned. He pressed a kiss…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deanna-raybourn/i-am-sorry-i-murmured-i-know-i-ought-not-to-have-threatened-to-beat/) [Deanna Raybourn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deanna-raybourn/) > [I am sorry for people who can't write letters. But I suspect also that you and I ... love to write them because it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-bishop/i-am-sorry-for-people-who-can-t-write-letters-but-i-suspect-also-that/) [Elizabeth Bishop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-bishop/) > [I am sorry they began their deliberations by so abominable a precedent as that of tying up the tongues of their members. Nothing can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-am-sorry-they-began-their-deliberations-by-so-abominable-a/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I accept that it was a mistake to allow distinctions to be blurred between my professional responsibilities and my personal loyalties to a friend.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liam-fox/i-accept-that-it-was-a-mistake-to-allow-distinctions-to-be-blurred/) [Liam Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liam-fox/) > [I always ask at once, 'Do you drink?' and if she says 'No,' I bow politely and say I am sorry but I fear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-whistler/i-always-ask-at-once-do-you-drink-and-if-she-says-no-i-bow-politely/) [James Whistler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-whistler/) > [As far as critics, I'm not a hip guy. I was never on drugs. Nobody ever felt sorry for me 'cause I went straight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-vinton/as-far-as-critics-i-m-not-a-hip-guy-i-was-never-on-drugs-nobody-ever/) [Bobby Vinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-vinton/) > [I am sorry to tell you that I am getting very extravagant and spending all my money: and what is worse for you, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/i-am-sorry-to-tell-you-that-i-am-getting-very-extravagant-and/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [Science fiction writers, I am sorry to say, really do not know anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/science-fiction-writers-i-am-sorry-to-say-really-do-not-know-anything/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [Cricketers like Jadeja come once in a lifetime, and I am sorry he didn’t play in my time. Could have added a few more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muttiah-muralitharan/cricketers-like-jadeja-come-once-in-a-lifetime-and-i-am-sorry-he-didn/) [Muttiah Muralitharan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muttiah-muralitharan/) > [I am sorry I ran from you. I am still running, running from that knowledge, that eye, that love from which there is no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-dillard/i-am-sorry-i-ran-from-you-i-am-still-running-running-from-that/) [Annie Dillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-dillard/) > [To you, the people of Flint, I say, as I have before, I am sorry and I will fix it. No citizen of this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-snyder/to-you-the-people-of-flint-i-say-as-i-have-before-i-am-sorry-and-i/) [Rick Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-snyder/) > [I am sorry I couldn't complete my term as leader. It is necessary for my staff to resign ... to regain the people's trust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seiji-maehara/i-am-sorry-i-couldn-t-complete-my-term-as-leader-it-is-necessary-for/) [Seiji Maehara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seiji-maehara/) > [I found a special eagerness among the younger, and I am sorry to say, the more intelligent Negroes, to dismiss the spiritual as something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-robeson/i-found-a-special-eagerness-among-the-younger-and-i-am-sorry-to-say/) [Paul Robeson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-robeson/) > [I made a big mistake. It is indefensible and I am sorry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/i-made-a-big-mistake-it-is-indefensible-and-i-am-sorry/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) ## More by Michael Phelps > [The support I've received from my sponsors has enabled me to raise the bar in swimming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/the-support-i-ve-received-from-my-sponsors-has-enabled-me-to-raise/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [I'm definitely ahead of the schedule where I thought I was going to be at. I'm really happy. I was excited to race and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/i-m-definitely-ahead-of-the-schedule-where-i-thought-i-was-going-to/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [You can't put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/you-can-t-put-a-limit-on-anything-the-more-you-dream-the-farther-you/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [I think with practice, you can being whatever you want to be, and with a goal you can go in any direction that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/i-think-with-practice-you-can-being-whatever-you-want-to-be-and-with/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [I learned how fast you can go from being an international hero to being a reference in a joke on a late night talk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/i-learned-how-fast-you-can-go-from-being-an-international-hero-to/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [I'm the same kind of guy before all this happened.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/i-m-the-same-kind-of-guy-before-all-this-happened/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [The only reason I started swimming was for water safety. Then, once I started falling in love with sports, I got more comfortable with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/the-only-reason-i-started-swimming-was-for-water-safety-then-once-i/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [I don't like to be second in anything. I was trying, I just wasn't going anywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/i-don-t-like-to-be-second-in-anything-i-was-trying-i-just-wasn-t/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [Every day, there's always something to be worried about; you turn on the news and see something different every day, and it's terrible. Hopefully,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/every-day-there-s-always-something-to-be-worried-about-you-turn-on/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [I want to test my maximum and see how much I can do. And I want to change the world of swimming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/i-want-to-test-my-maximum-and-see-how-much-i-can-do-and-i-want-to/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [You can't put a limit anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/you-can-t-put-a-limit-anything/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [I haven't swam in any of the rivers outside of Baltimore. I try to keep it in the pool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/i-haven-t-swam-in-any-of-the-rivers-outside-of-baltimore-i-try-to/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [This is my 20th year in the sport. I've known swimming and that's it. I don't want to swim past age 30; if I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/this-is-my-20th-year-in-the-sport-i-ve-known-swimming-and-that-s-it-i/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [Anything is possible as long as you want it, you work for it. Doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, the only person that can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/anything-is-possible-as-long-as-you-want-it-you-work-for-it-doesn-t/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [Nothing is impossible. With so many people saying it couldn't be done, all it takes is an imagination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/nothing-is-impossible-with-so-many-people-saying-it-couldn-t-be-done/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) [Explore all 169 Michael Phelps quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) ## More Am sorry quotes > [I am sorry to upset my colleagues by saying we wasted four years in opposition, but if you do get so badly defeated as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-clarke/i-am-sorry-to-upset-my-colleagues-by-saying-we-wasted-four-years-in/) [Kenneth Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-clarke/) > [I found a special eagerness among the younger, and I am sorry to say, the more intelligent Negroes, to dismiss the spiritual as something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-robeson/i-found-a-special-eagerness-among-the-younger-and-i-am-sorry-to-say/) [Paul Robeson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-robeson/) > [I am sorry I couldn't complete my term as leader. It is necessary for my staff to resign ... to regain the people's trust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seiji-maehara/i-am-sorry-i-couldn-t-complete-my-term-as-leader-it-is-necessary-for/) [Seiji Maehara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seiji-maehara/) > [To you, the people of Flint, I say, as I have before, I am sorry and I will fix it. No citizen of this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-snyder/to-you-the-people-of-flint-i-say-as-i-have-before-i-am-sorry-and-i/) [Rick Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-snyder/) > [I am sorry I ran from you. I am still running, running from that knowledge, that eye, that love from which there is no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-dillard/i-am-sorry-i-ran-from-you-i-am-still-running-running-from-that/) [Annie Dillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-dillard/) > [Cricketers like Jadeja come once in a lifetime, and I am sorry he didn’t play in my time. Could have added a few more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muttiah-muralitharan/cricketers-like-jadeja-come-once-in-a-lifetime-and-i-am-sorry-he-didn/) [Muttiah Muralitharan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muttiah-muralitharan/) > [Science fiction writers, I am sorry to say, really do not know anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/science-fiction-writers-i-am-sorry-to-say-really-do-not-know-anything/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [I am sorry to tell you that I am getting very extravagant and spending all my money: and what is worse for you, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/i-am-sorry-to-tell-you-that-i-am-getting-very-extravagant-and/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [As far as critics, I'm not a hip guy. I was never on drugs. Nobody ever felt sorry for me 'cause I went straight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-vinton/as-far-as-critics-i-m-not-a-hip-guy-i-was-never-on-drugs-nobody-ever/) [Bobby Vinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-vinton/) > [I always ask at once, 'Do you drink?' and if she says 'No,' I bow politely and say I am sorry but I fear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-whistler/i-always-ask-at-once-do-you-drink-and-if-she-says-no-i-bow-politely/) [James Whistler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-whistler/) > [I accept that it was a mistake to allow distinctions to be blurred between my professional responsibilities and my personal loyalties to a friend.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liam-fox/i-accept-that-it-was-a-mistake-to-allow-distinctions-to-be-blurred/) [Liam Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liam-fox/) > [I am sorry they began their deliberations by so abominable a precedent as that of tying up the tongues of their members. Nothing can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-am-sorry-they-began-their-deliberations-by-so-abominable-a/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I am sorry for people who can't write letters. But I suspect also that you and I ... love to write them because it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-bishop/i-am-sorry-for-people-who-can-t-write-letters-but-i-suspect-also-that/) [Elizabeth Bishop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-bishop/) > [I am sorry " I murmured. "I know. I ought not to have threatened to beat you " he returned. He pressed a kiss…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deanna-raybourn/i-am-sorry-i-murmured-i-know-i-ought-not-to-have-threatened-to-beat/) [Deanna Raybourn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deanna-raybourn/) > [I made a big mistake. It is indefensible and I am sorry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/i-made-a-big-mistake-it-is-indefensible-and-i-am-sorry/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) [Browse all 103 Am sorry quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/am-sorry/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment. I'm 23 years old and despite the successes I've had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. 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