--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sorry am I to say, I have often observed…" description: "\"Sorry am I to say, I have often observed that I have performed worst when I most ardently wished to do better than ever.\" — Sarah Siddons" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4b/sarah-siddons-51884_sorry_sorry-am-i-to-say-i-have-often-observed_3204612.jpg" --- # Sorry am I to say, I have often observed that I have… ![“Sorry am I to say, I have often observed that I have performed worst when I most ardently wished to do better than ever.” quote by Sarah Siddons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4b/sarah-siddons-51884_sorry_sorry-am-i-to-say-i-have-often-observed_3204612.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4b/sarah-siddons-51884_sorry_sorry-am-i-to-say-i-have-often-observed_3204612.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4b/sarah-siddons-51884_sorry_sorry-am-i-to-say-i-have-often-observed_3204612.jpg) > “Sorry am I to say, I have often observed that I have performed worst when I most ardently wished to do better than ever.” [Sarah Siddons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-siddons/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When we push too hard to improve, anxiety can sabotage performance, leading to worse outcomes. **In simple terms:** Trying too hard can backfire. Key Takeaway Relax and trust your skill. Themes self-doubt performance pressure Mood anxious reflective Type advice psychological When to use this quote - public speaking - exam preparation - athletic competition - creative projects Key Concepts psychology self-sabotage Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance ambition with calm? - What routines reduce performance anxiety? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on outcome can cause paralysis. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [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'm sorry to say that no, I do not play the piano.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-moore/i-m-sorry-to-say-that-no-i-do-not-play-the-piano/) [Roger Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-moore/) > [I could always say I wished I had a better film career... but overall, I've been one of the lucky ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-o-neill/i-could-always-say-i-wished-i-had-a-better-film-career-but-overall-i/) [Ed O'Neill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-o-neill/) > [I always wished to be a better planner. It seems more elegant, while my trial and error process is more akin to someone scratching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-mohr/i-always-wished-to-be-a-better-planner-it-seems-more-elegant-while-my/) [Joshua Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-mohr/) > [“wished that I could also find “no better occupation than to look down into the garden” beneath my window,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/wished-that-i-could-also-find-no-better-occupation-than-to-look-down/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [He felt that he was himself and did not wish to be anyone else. He only wished now to be better than he had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/he-felt-that-he-was-himself-and-did-not-wish-to-be-anyone-else-he/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [“Jobs expressed regret that he hadn’t been a better father. He wished he better understood his daughters.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yukari-iwatani-kane/jobs-expressed-regret-that-he-hadn-t-been-a-better-father-he-wished/) [Yukari Iwatani Kane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yukari-iwatani-kane/) > [“I’m sorry,” I say. This hurts, I want to say. Even just standing here talking to you. It all hurts more than you could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-buxbaum/i-m-sorry-i-say-this-hurts-i-want-to-say-even-just-standing-here/) [Julie Buxbaum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-buxbaum/) > [“You say very funny things. I am sorry I can't say funny things back. This is not a funny time for me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/you-say-very-funny-things-i-am-sorry-i-can-t-say-funny-things-back/) [Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/) > [Sorry to say but if I changed then you changed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sorry-to-say-but-if-i-changed-then-you-changed/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm sorry I hurt you, Im sorry for what I say, Im sorry for the way I act. But if its really that bad,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-sorry-i-hurt-you-im-sorry-for-what-i-say-im-sorry-for-the-way-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Then I'm sorry to say, I've eat your pie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/then-i-m-sorry-to-say-i-ve-eat-your-pie/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [“I'm sorry," I say. "About being a bit odd sometimes, at school." Camille shakes her head. "You really have to stop saying that. Incessant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-haig/i-m-sorry-i-say-about-being-a-bit-odd-sometimes-at-school-camille/) [Matt Haig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-haig/) > [“I'm sorry to say it, but it was hard on me to see life continue all around.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diet-eman/i-m-sorry-to-say-it-but-it-was-hard-on-me-to-see-life-continue-all/) [Diet Eman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diet-eman/) > [I'm sorry to say so but, sadly, it's true that Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-seuss/i-m-sorry-to-say-so-but-sadly-it-s-true-that-bang-ups-and-hang-ups/) [Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-seuss/) ## More by Sarah Siddons > [customary interruptions are not only gratifying and cheering, but they are also really necessary in order to gain breath and voice to carry one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-siddons/customary-interruptions-are-not-only-gratifying-and-cheering-but-they/) [Sarah Siddons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-siddons/) > [The awful consciousness that one is the sole object of attention to that immense space, lined as it were with human intellect from top…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-siddons/the-awful-consciousness-that-one-is-the-sole-object-of-attention-to/) [Sarah Siddons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-siddons/) > [. . . I know, by sad experience, with what difficulty a mind, weakened by long and uninterrupted suffering, admits hope, much less assurance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-siddons/i-know-by-sad-experience-with-what-difficulty-a-mind-weakened-by-long/) [Sarah Siddons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-siddons/) > [Alas, how wretched is the being who depends on the stability of public favour!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-siddons/alas-how-wretched-is-the-being-who-depends-on-the-stability-of-public/) [Sarah Siddons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-siddons/) > [I pant for retirement and leisure, but am doomed to inexpressible and almost unsupportable hurry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-siddons/i-pant-for-retirement-and-leisure-but-am-doomed-to-inexpressible-and/) [Sarah Siddons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-siddons/) > [. . . I believe one half of the world is born for the convenience of the other half . . .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-siddons/i-believe-one-half-of-the-world-is-born-for-the-convenience-of-the/) [Sarah Siddons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-siddons/) [Explore all 7 Sarah Siddons quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-siddons/) ## More Sorry quotes > [Im sorry I ever tried...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-sorry-i-ever-tried/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Im so sorry,i screwed up again.i didnt meant hurting you.please,forgive me,again?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/redeyeen/im-so-sorry-i-screwed-up-again-i-didnt-meant-hurting-you-please/) Redeyeen > [Ay-firmative,' Eve said, and tried for a smile. 'Sorry. An Aliens reference always makes me feel better at times like this. Exept I'm not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/ay-firmative-eve-said-and-tried-for-a-smile-sorry-an-aliens-reference/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) > [Writing code means always having to say you're sorry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ford/writing-code-means-always-having-to-say-you-re-sorry/) [Paul Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ford/) > [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'm not asking people to feel sorry for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-abramoff/i-m-not-asking-people-to-feel-sorry-for-me/) [Jack Abramoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-abramoff/) > [If it's me against 48, I feel sorry for the 48.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/if-it-s-me-against-48-i-feel-sorry-for-the-48/) [Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) > [I noticed you didnt care, so I left. Now your trying to change..I'm sorry i've moved on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tierra-williams/i-noticed-you-didnt-care-so-i-left-now-your-trying-to-change-i-m/) Tierra Williams > [“Oh, baby girl," he says with a sigh. "I am so, so sorry.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-wiess/oh-baby-girl-he-says-with-a-sigh-i-am-so-so-sorry/) [Laura Wiess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-wiess/) > [It's hard to say sorry when It's really your fault.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rakii-retondo/it-s-hard-to-say-sorry-when-it-s-really-your-fault/) [Rakii Retondo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rakii-retondo/) > [J.D. cleared his throat and pushed the button on the intercom. “Uh, Payton, hi. It’s J.D.” Dead silence. Then another crackle. “Sorry. Not interested.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-james/j-d-cleared-his-throat-and-pushed-the-button-on-the-intercom-uh/) [Julie James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-james/) > [Oh, I am sorry. I forgot I only exist when you need something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/oh-i-am-sorry-i-forgot-i-only-exist-when-you-need-something/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Don't give up on me now. I'm sorry. I guess that's an odd thing to say. Because isn't that what I'm doing? Giving up?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-asher/don-t-give-up-on-me-now-i-m-sorry-i-guess-that-s-an-odd-thing-to-say/) [Jay Asher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-asher/) > [All right. I will be a man about this…I’m so sorry Bets. I should have hidden the keys. Booted your tires. Something. I had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/all-right-i-will-be-a-man-about-this-i-m-so-sorry-bets-i-should-have/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [I'm sorry, man, but I've got magic. I've got poetry in my fingertips. Most of the time - and this includes naps - I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-sheen/i-m-sorry-man-but-i-ve-got-magic-i-ve-got-poetry-in-my-fingertips/) [Charlie Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-sheen/) Browse all 3,333 Sorry quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Sorry am I to say, I have often observed that I have performed worst when I most ardently wished to do better than ever.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sarah Siddons" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-siddons/sorry-am-i-to-say-i-have-often-observed-that-i-have-performed-worst/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Sorry" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-siddons/sorry-am-i-to-say-i-have-often-observed-that-i-have-performed-worst/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4b/sarah-siddons-51884_sorry_sorry-am-i-to-say-i-have-often-observed_3204612.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4b/sarah-siddons-51884_sorry_sorry-am-i-to-say-i-have-often-observed_3204612.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4b/sarah-siddons-51884_sorry_sorry-am-i-to-say-i-have-often-observed_3204612.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Sorry am I to say, I have often observed that I have performed worst when I most ardently wished to do…” — Sarah Siddons", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Sarah Siddons", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-siddons/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Sorry am I to say, I...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-siddons/sorry-am-i-to-say-i-have-often-observed-that-i-have-performed-worst/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-siddons/sorry-am-i-to-say-i-have-often-observed-that-i-have-performed-worst/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```