Humans are built with complicated emotions; not all of our thoughts and feelings are in line, especially when asking for an apology.

Some of us are full of pride that we instead cut ties than ask for forgiveness, while some give their all just to give the trust back.

Although several believe that unconditional love knows no apology, experts warn that this is a misconception.

Never apologizing to people is a way of losing them– whether they are your family, friend, or significant other.

Why It’s Important to Apologize

The ability to ask for an apology and the capability of someone to forgive is an essential aspect of any relationship.

Apologies help relieve the stress and tension between the two parties.

Although what happens may break or make your relationship stronger, being able to apologize is worth it.

Apologizing help has open communication and reconnection with the other party.

You can express your hurt and regret of hurting them.

However, you should know that not all apologies are correct. There’s a right and wrong way to ask for an apology.

How to Apologize Sincerely (right, wrong way)

Some think that apology only comes with the word “sorry.” But no, a sincere apology is more than words.

The right way to apologize sincerely is to:

Create rules. There should be new rules in the relationship to make each other feel secure in the future. You can help each other change and avoid offensive behavior in the future.
Take responsibility. If you did wrong, you have to own up with your actions.
Change behavior. Do not ask for forgiveness if it will only be an empty ‘sorry.’

When you sincerely apologize, you have the opportunity to resolve the conflict and rebuild the trust. Thus, you have to do it correctly. It is wrong to ask for an apology, but you cannot keep the promise. As said, you need to take responsibility.

An insincere apology will only lead to more chaos and hurt.

The Power of Saying “Sorry”

When you say “sorry”, it allows you to reconcile with the person you hurt. It will heal all wounds by merely asking for forgiveness. Although what happened may be rough for you, saying sorry or forgiving your significant other gives you the feeling of assurance.

Saying sorry eases the pain and tension. It gives you hope and the opportunity to rebuild relationships and put a value on the future.

When to Stop Saying “I’m Sorry” According to Science

According to science, there are two sides of forgiveness: decisional forgiveness and emotional forgiveness. The difference between the two is how their feelings toward you changes after an apology.

Decisional forgiveness is an active decision to replace negative behaviors of a person with positive ones. Even though you are not yet fully forgiving the person, you are trying to move on from it by making decisional forgiveness.

Meanwhile, emotional forgiveness is the genuine replacement of negative feelings towards the person with positive ones. Physical actions or decisional forgiveness is not the answer to be forgiven.

How to Know If You Should Apologize to Someone

Some people find apologizing hard. They think apologizing first makes you guilty and responsible for the entire argument.

You should apologize to someone if:

You have hurt their feelings.
If you have caused trouble.

Even though these things are done unintentionally, you need to make a conscious decision to apologize and ask for an apology.

However, several people think that apologizing is not only limited to the one who did wrong. Even if you did not do anything wrong, you could ask for an apology just to kill the tension.

Why It’s Good to Be the First One to Say “I’m Sorry”

Whether you are at fault or the other party, sometimes saying sorry first is the best move. Saying sorry first helps you focus more on yourself than others. Do not let others have the power to make you upset. Your mental health matters most.

Will you wait for someone to apologize even if you can take a step towards it positively? It would be a relief if you would do it first rather than waiting for nothing and leave yourself with misery.

57 Sorry Quotes to help you apologize sincerely, to be a better person.

One of the best forms of love is forgiveness. When you do something wrong or a person has done something wrong to you, it is necessary to ask for forgiveness and make amends. If you are afraid that he or she might decline your apology, be brave. Take courage through these sorry quotes.

Forgiving Someone Who Isn’t Sorry Quotes

You are not the only one struggling. However, the one who did you wrong might not be sorry, either. Instead of getting stressed over something that isn’t in your control, set yourself free. Forgive someone even though they haven’t apologized. Here are some forgiving people who aren’t sorry quotes you can take inspiration from.

“Holding a grudge doesn’t make you strong; it makes you bitter. Forgiving doesn’t make you weak; it sets you free.” – Dave Willis
“Forgiveness is not always easy. At times it feels more painful than the wound we suffered to forgive the one that inflicted it. And yet, there is no peace without forgiveness.” – Marriane Williamson
“Let no man pull you low enough to hate him.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
“Forgiveness is the best revenge.” – Imam Ali
“Don’t ever underestimate the power of forgiveness. I’ve seen it, free people. I’ve seen life burdens that had weighed them down and kept them from moving on.” – Buffy Andrews
“Forgiveness is a reflection of loving yourself enough to move on.” – Dr. Steve Maraboli
“When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free.” – Katherine Ponder
“Hate has caused a lot of problems in this world, but it has not solved one yet.” – Maya Angelou
“Forgiveness is the key to action and freedom.” – John Connolly
“Humankind has an amazing capacity to forgive.” – Gary Chapman
“It can be hard to forgive and let go, but it’s important to remember that harboring the resentment and holding a grudge can hurt you even more. The word forgive really means to give something up for yourself, not for them.” – Jack Canfield
“I wish for you the wisdom to realize that forgiveness has nothing to do with an apology.” – Steve Maraboli
“Forgiveness is a virtue of the brave.” – Indira Gandhi
“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Listen. Slide the weight from your shoulders and move forward. You are afraid that you might forget, but you never will. You will forgive and remember.” – Barbara Kingsolver
“Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.” – Corrie Ten Boom
“Mistakes are always forgivable, if one has the courage to admit them.” – Bruce Lee
“Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.” – Oscar Wilde
“Love forgives and keeps no records of wrongs.” – Lailah Gifty Akita

When Sorry Isn’t Enough Quotes

Sometimes, people hurt us more than we can ever imagine, and even if they asked forgiveness– sorry isn’t enough. However, if you want to heal from it and move on without any burden, take inspiration from these quotes.

“It’s easier to forgive an enemy than a friend.” – William Blake
“Blame keeps wounds open. Only forgiveness heals.” – Thomas Manson
“If we really want to love, we must learn how to forgive.” – Mother Theresa
“As long as you don’t forgive, who and whatever it is will occupy a rent-free space in your mind.” – Isabelle Holland
“Forgiveness is a sign that the person who has wronged you means more to you than the wrong they have dealt.” – Ben Greenhalgh
“I don’t think people understand that you can forgive a person and not allow them back into your life. That is possible, very possible.” – Alex Elle
“Be the one who nurtures and builds. Be the one who has an understanding and forgiving heart, one who looks for the best in people. Leave people better than you found them.” – Marvin J. Ashton
“Forgiveness isn’t something you do for someone else. It’s something you do for yourself.” – Jodi Picoult
“What is forgiven is usually well-remembered.” – Louis Dudek
“Forgiveness is a choice, but it is not an option.” – Joel Osteen
“Apologizing does not always mean that you are wrong and the other person is right. It just means that you value your relationship more than your ego.” – Unknown
“Forgiveness liberates the soul. It removes fear. That is why it is such a powerful weapon.” – Nelson Mandela
“The desire for reconciliation is often more potent than the desire for justice. The more intimate the relationship, the deeper the desire for reconciliation.” – Gary Chapman
“Sorry doesn’t prove anything unless you mean it.” – Ashley Sexton
“You don’t need strength to let go of something. What you really need is understanding.” – Guy Finley
“We ask for forgiveness. And we forgive others who ask us. In that way, we can experience healing, healing in our souls.” – Ed Dobsons
“As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison.” – Nelson Mandela
“Let go. Why do you cling to pain? There is nothing you can do about the wrongs of yesterday. It is not yours to judge. Why hold on to the very thing which keeps you from hope and love?” – Leo Buscaglia
“Sometimes what a person needs most is to be forgiven.” – Jennifer McMahon

“I am sorry for what I said” Quotes

Have you hurt someone because of what you said? Remember, words hurt like hell, and hurtful words are the hardest to get by. If you want to make amends with your loved ones, here are some of the quotes that may inspire you.

“None of us should be defined by the worst thing we’ve ever done.” – Kevin R. Duncan
“Everything is my fault. I’ll take all the blame.” – Nirvana, All Apologies
“I don’t know why I made you cry. I’m sorry, sweetheart, and yet though, you shouldn’t be lenient with me. I hope you will forgive and forget.” – Frank Sinatra, After I Say
“I never meant to cause you any sorrow. I never meant to cause you any pain.” – Price and the Revolution, Purple Rain
“If you can’ forgive and forget, pick one.” – Robert Brault
“Forgive, forget. Bear with the faults of others as you would have them bear with yours.” – Phillips Brooks
“Forgive me. Forgive this fool. Sorry that I acted so cruel. I love you and love only you. Take my hand, and let’s start anew.” – Gabrielle Yana Concepcion
“Remember, we all stumble, every one of us. That’s why it’s a comfort to go hand in hand.” – Emily Kimbrough
“Saying ‘I’m sorry’ is saying ‘I love you’ with a wounded heart in one hand and your smothered pride in the other.” – Richelle Goodrich
“Let us forgive each other– only then will we live in peace.” – Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy
“I don’t like it, and I’m sorry I ever had anything to do with it.” – Erwin Schrodinger
“I have made terrible mistakes that have hurt the people that I cared about the most, and I am terribly sorry. I am deeply ashamed of my terrible judgment and my actions.” – Anthony Weiner
“Before we can forgive one another, we have to understand one another.” – Emma Goldman
“Never forget the nine most important words of any family: I love you. You are beautiful. Please forgive me.” – H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“I felt ashamed for what I had done. I don’t have any excuses. I did what I did. I take full responsibility for myself and my actions. I wouldn’t pawn this off on anybody. I’m sorry it happened, and I hurt people.” – Louie Anderson
“When a deep injury is done to us, we never heal until we forgive.” – Nelson Mandela
“I am immensely contrite. And I’m sorry for the damage I’ve done.” – Jayson Blair
“Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.” – Paul Boose
“I love you, and I always will, and I am sorry. What a useless word.” – Ernest Hemingway

Tips to Stop Hurting Others

Sometimes, we are unaware that our behaviors hurt the people around us. You can break the cycle to avoid damaging the people you love and spreading negativity. Here are some tips for you:

Do not expect others to read your mind. It is best to tell how you feel and what you expect than to assume.
Be true to your intentions. Always think before you say or act. Words hurt, so as your actions.
Be careful with your words. Sometimes you are just joking, yet the words you use are offensive.
Do not discuss sensitive topics. It may make others uncomfortable.

If asking for forgiveness or forgiving others is hard for you, let me ask you something– when does hate feel good? Do you like being stressed over something you can resolve? Dodging forgiveness will eat your energy. It will make you bitter about life.

There will always be a time when people will hurt your feelings, and it is up to you on how to deal with it. Remember, always be the bigger person.

Reference

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Daniels, E. (2018, August 01). 61 I’m Sorry Quotes to Personalize Your Apology. Retrieved January 29, 2021, from https://www.proflowers.com/blog/im-sorry-quotes

Zeng, B. (2020, February 12). 30 Best Asking for Forgiveness Quotes: Forgiveness Isn’t Granted, It’s Gifted. Retrieved January 29, 2021, from https://ponbee.com/asking-for-forgiveness-quotes/

When Sorry Isn’t Enough Quotes by Gary Chapman. (n.d.). Retrieved January 29, 2021, from https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/21911214-when-sorry-isn-t-enough-making-things-right-with-those-you-love

31 Forgiveness Quotes to Inspire Us to Let Go. (2019, July 16). Retrieved January 29, 2021, from https://www.skipprichard.com/31-forgiveness-quotes-to-inspire-us-to-let-it-go/

Juma, N., & Power, E. (2021, January 23). 145 I’m Sorry Quotes for When You Can’t Find the Right Words. Retrieved January 29, 2021, from https://everydaypower.com/im-sorry-quotes/

Elizabeth Scott, M. (2020, April 18). The Importance of Apologizing for Relationship Repair. Retrieved January 29, 2021, from https://www.verywellmind.com/the-importance-of-apologizing

Moore, S. (2020, August 19). How to Forgive Someone Who Will Never Say Sorry. Retrieved January 29, 2021, from https://greatist.com/live/how-forgive-someone-who-will-never-say-sorry#science-and-forgiveness