--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The ability to apologize sincerely and…" description: "\"“The ability to apologize sincerely and express regret for the unskillful things we say or do is an art. A true apology can relieve a great deal of suf..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b4/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh-689_apologize_the-ability-to-apologize-sincerely-and-e_2373971.jpg" --- # The ability to apologize sincerely and express regret for… ![“The ability to apologize sincerely and express regret for the unskillful things we say or do is an art. A true apology can relieve a great deal of suffering in the other person.” quote by Thich Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b4/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh-689_apologize_the-ability-to-apologize-sincerely-and-e_2373971.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b4/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh-689_apologize_the-ability-to-apologize-sincerely-and-e_2373971.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b4/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh-689_apologize_the-ability-to-apologize-sincerely-and-e_2373971.jpg) > ““The ability to apologize sincerely and express regret for the unskillful things we say or do is an art. A true apology can relieve a great deal of suffering in the other person.”” [Thich Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Sincere apologies heal both giver and receiver by acknowledging harm and reducing suffering. **In simple terms:** Apologies can ease pain for both sides. Key Takeaway Practice honest, heartfelt apologies. Themes compassion communication healing Mood empathetic reflective Type ethical inspirational When to use this quote - conflict resolution - personal relationships - team dynamics - customer service Key Concepts mindfulness emotional intelligence Questions to Reflect On - How can you ensure your apology feels genuine? - What steps follow an apology to rebuild trust? A Different Perspective Apologies may be rejected or seen as insincere if not backed by changed behavior. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability Apologize](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability-apologize-5856574/) [Apologize](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apologize/) [Apologize Sincerely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apologize-sincerely-4351244/) [Apology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apology/) [Apology Relieve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apology-relieve-5856575/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Regret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regret/) [True Apology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-apology-2606921/) ## Related quotes > [“To Move from Woe to Wow with an Unhappy Customer. . . Apologize • Thank your customer for raising the issue. • Apologize sincerely–never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/to-move-from-woe-to-wow-with-an-unhappy-customer-apologize-thank-your/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [There's never really been a true apology for slavery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenya-barris/there-s-never-really-been-a-true-apology-for-slavery/) [Kenya Barris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenya-barris/) > [A true apology is more than just aknowledgment of a mistake. It is recognition that something you have said or done has damaged a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/a-true-apology-is-more-than-just-aknowledgment-of-a-mistake-it-is/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [Mistakes happen, you try to apologize and it's not even given recognition. I don't know what to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/mistakes-happen-you-try-to-apologize-and-it-s-not-even-given/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The best way to restart a relationship is to apologize. >\_](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kand3n/the-best-way-to-restart-a-relationship-is-to-apologize/) [Kand3n](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kand3n/) > [If you apologize then follow with an excuse, you're ruining your apology.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-apologize-then-follow-with-an-excuse-you-re-ruining-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being able to make a sincere apology - one that says, "Yes, I get it; I screwed up. Your feelings make sense, and I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-lerner/being-able-to-make-a-sincere-apology-one-that-says-yes-i-get-it-i/) [Harriet Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-lerner/) > [APOLOGIZE. It brings healing, provides closure, and frees your mind. A simple apology can open up peoples heart again, which in return, can also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-lahart/apologize-it-brings-healing-provides-closure-and-frees-your-mind-a/) [Stephanie Lahart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-lahart/) > [I want a formal apology from the mayor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio-gonzalez/i-want-a-formal-apology-from-the-mayor/) [Antonio Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonio-gonzalez/) > [I rise today to offer a formal and heartfelt apology to all the victims of lynching in our history, and for the failure of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-allen/i-rise-today-to-offer-a-formal-and-heartfelt-apology-to-all-the/) [George Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-allen/) > [I'm not perfect, I make mistakes. And I hurt people. But when I say that I am sorry, I mean it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-not-perfect-i-make-mistakes-and-i-hurt-people-but-when-i-say-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A poor choice of words conveyed to some the impression that I embrace the discarded policies of the past. Nothing could be further from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trent-lott/a-poor-choice-of-words-conveyed-to-some-the-impression-that-i-embrace/) [Trent Lott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trent-lott/) > [I wasn't saying whatever they're saying I was saying. I'm sorry I said it really. I never meant it to be a lousy anti-religious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lennon/i-wasn-t-saying-whatever-they-re-saying-i-was-saying-i-m-sorry-i-said/) [John Lennon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lennon/) > [“It's clear he still feels something, but what? Is the whole reason he made such a big deal about wanting to talk to me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carey-heywood/it-s-clear-he-still-feels-something-but-what-is-the-whole-reason-he/) [Carey Heywood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carey-heywood/) > [“Why do we apologize for advocating for ourselves? Why do we apologize for taking up space that we are entitled to? Why do we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-tambascio/why-do-we-apologize-for-advocating-for-ourselves-why-do-we-apologize/) [Elizabeth Tambascio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-tambascio/) ## More by Thich Nhat Hanh > [“For example, the sound of the telephone can make us irritated and anxious. That is the sound of the telephone which comes as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/for-example-the-sound-of-the-telephone-can-make-us-irritated-and/) [Thích Nhất Hạnh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/) > [“Bhikkhus, the teaching is merely a vehicle to describe the truth. Don’t mistake it for the truth itself. A finger pointing at the moon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/bhikkhus-the-teaching-is-merely-a-vehicle-to-describe-the-truth-don-t/) [Thich Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/) > [“If we practice walking meditation, we walk just for walking, not to arrive.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/if-we-practice-walking-meditation-we-walk-just-for-walking-not-to/) [Thích Nhất Hạnh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/) > [“Control the senses, practice equanimity. Live by disciplinary rules. Associate with good friends who are not lazy and live purely. Be courteous and well-mannered,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/control-the-senses-practice-equanimity-live-by-disciplinary-rules/) [Thích Nhất Hạnh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/) > [“If you are lost in a forest at night, you can follow the North Star to find your way out. 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But compassion is also a very strong energy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/we-have-many-kinds-of-energies-in-us-including-the-energies-of-anger/) [Thích Nhất Hạnh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/) > [“Knowing how to handle suffering, you know at the same time how to produce happiness. And if you’re truly happy, we all profit from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/knowing-how-to-handle-suffering-you-know-at-the-same-time-how-to/) [Thich Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/) > [“You have to realize that happiness is not something you find at the end of the road. You have to understand that it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/you-have-to-realize-that-happiness-is-not-something-you-find-at-the/) [Thich Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/) > [“Suppose you are in the desert, and you only have one glass of muddy water. You have to transform the muddy water into clear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/suppose-you-are-in-the-desert-and-you-only-have-one-glass-of-muddy/) [Thich Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/) > [“When you speak, allow the insight of our collective humanity to speak through you. When you walk, don't walk for yourself alone; walk for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/when-you-speak-allow-the-insight-of-our-collective-humanity-to-speak/) [Thích Nhất Hạnh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/) > [“Your body belongs to the earth. In modern life, people tend to think their bodies belong to them, that they can do anything they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/your-body-belongs-to-the-earth-in-modern-life-people-tend-to-think/) [Thich Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/) > [“A single wise word bringing peace to the listener is worth more than a thousand speeches of empty words.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/a-single-wise-word-bringing-peace-to-the-listener-is-worth-more-than/) [Thích Nhất Hạnh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/) > [“There is no fire like lust, no vise like hatred, no trap like delusion, and no galloping river like craving.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/there-is-no-fire-like-lust-no-vise-like-hatred-no-trap-like-delusion/) [Thích Nhất Hạnh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/) [Explore all 373 Thich Nhat Hanh quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/) ## More Apologize quotes > [Im sorry I ever tried...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-sorry-i-ever-tried/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“He wished he could somehow go back and find the iPhone people whom he'd jostled on the sidewalk earlier, apologize to them - I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-st-john-mandel/he-wished-he-could-somehow-go-back-and-find-the-iphone-people-whom-he/) [Emily St. John Mandel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-st-john-mandel/) > [“Why do we apologize for advocating for ourselves? Why do we apologize for taking up space that we are entitled to? Why do we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-tambascio/why-do-we-apologize-for-advocating-for-ourselves-why-do-we-apologize/) [Elizabeth Tambascio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-tambascio/) > [“Sorry I wish you could apologize to something you broke and it brings it back to what it was without losing its core I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rania-naim/sorry-i-wish-you-could-apologize-to-something-you-broke-and-it-brings/) [Rania Naim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rania-naim/) > [I'm sorry I want to apologize for being careless and hurting your feelings. Please forgive me ! I'm a jerk your friendship means a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/unkown/i-m-sorry-i-want-to-apologize-for-being-careless-and-hurting-your/) [Unkown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/unkown/) > [A jerk will keep hurting you then apologize to keep you from leaving them, and then do it all over again](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/a-jerk-will-keep-hurting-you-then-apologize-to-keep-you-from-leaving/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [To apologize for what you most wanted to do, to concede that it was obnoxious, boring, 'vulgar and unsafe' --- that was the worst…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-hollinghurst/to-apologize-for-what-you-most-wanted-to-do-to-concede-that-it-was/) [Alan Hollinghurst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-hollinghurst/) > [To truly repent of a big thing, you have to go into it with your heart open and force yourself to deal with it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-wilkinson/to-truly-repent-of-a-big-thing-you-have-to-go-into-it-with-your-heart/) [Bruce Wilkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-wilkinson/) > [I would like to publicly apologize to anyone I have NOT offended¦I will get to you shortly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-would-like-to-publicly-apologize-to-anyone-i-have-not-offended-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I have a responsibility, and it's something that I did wrong, and if I could personally apologize to every single person that has lost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-richie/i-have-a-responsibility-and-it-s-something-that-i-did-wrong-and-if-i/) [Nicole Richie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-richie/) > [To the millions of Americans whove attempted to use HealthCare.gov to shop and enroll in health-care coverage, I want to apologize to you that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-tavenner/to-the-millions-of-americans-whove-attempted-to-use-healthcare-gov-to/) [Marilyn Tavenner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-tavenner/) > [“When someone says that it's too late for apologize when you have to do it anyway because it's your duty.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-teris-bit-ns/when-someone-says-that-it-s-too-late-for-apologize-when-you-have-to/) [Pēteris Bitāns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-teris-bit-ns/) > [Life is short so, kiss slowly, forgive quickly, and love deeply.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/courtney/life-is-short-so-kiss-slowly-forgive-quickly-and-love-deeply/) [Courtney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/courtney/) > [Life is too short to worry about stupid things. Have fun, fall in love, and regret nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/life-is-too-short-to-worry-about-stupid-things-have-fun-fall-in-love/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [I ain't never going to apologize for a 21-point win over a state rival, ever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dabo-swinney/i-ain-t-never-going-to-apologize-for-a-21-point-win-over-a-state/) [Dabo Swinney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dabo-swinney/) [Browse all 900 Apologize quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apologize/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The ability to apologize sincerely and express regret for the unskillful things we say or do is an art. 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