Best 92 Apology Quotes & Sorry Quotes

Apology quotes are a great way to learn about people's views on saying sorry and how different situations are handled by others.

They can also enhance an apology when they're used to illustrate a point, or convey feelings that you find difficult to put into words.

Apologizing is hard for most of us but a necessary action if we want to remain connected to friends, our boyfriend or girlfriend, family and community. Looking at how others have said sorry or how they view the act of apologizing helps us figure out how we feel about things, and how we should respond in our own life.

While some of the quotes listed below are humorous and others profound, they provide us with more insight into the world of apologies.

Apology Quotes Made by Celebrities

The entertainment and sports industries have been particularly forthcoming and have provided us with countless quotes about apologies. Some of the more interesting ones that we've found are in this first group.

An apology? Bah! Disgusting! Cowardly! Beneath the dignity of any gentleman, however wrong he might be. Steve Martin

The things two people do to each other they remember. If they stay together, it's not because they forget; it's because they forgive. Demi Moore

An apology might help, but you can change your life without one. Robin Quivers

You can always say sorry, But the real apology is when you hear the sadness in their voice and see the look in their eyes. And you realize that they have hurt themselves just as much. Kid Cudi

There is no excuse, nor should there be any tolerance, for anyone who thinks or expresses any kind of anti-Semitic remark. I want to apologize specifically to everyone in the Jewish community for the vitriolic and harmful words that I said to a law enforcement officer the night I was arrested on a DUI charge. Mel Gibson

Distance does not decide who is your brother and who is not. The church is going to have to become the conscience of the free market if it's to have any meaning in this world - and stop being its apologist. Bono

Mistakes are always forgivable, if one has the courage to admit them. Bruce Lee

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

I'm sorry, if you were right, I'd agree with you. Robin Williams

Sorry doesn’t prove anything unless you mean it. Ashley Sexton

Holding a grudge doesn't make you strong; it makes you bitter. Forgiving doesn't make you weak; it sets you free. Dave Willis

I can wholeheartedly apologize for not being at all sorry. And it really is the least I can do. April Winchell

You must tell me who I might have hurt. I have to write them an apology. Vivien Leigh

I feel like this is a dream—I apologize for how I dressed some of you. Ray Romano

I hated Chris, my brother. I would pull his hair and kick him, until one day my father gave him permission to fight back. I'll be apologizing to him for the rest of my life. Stevie Nicks

Why should I apologize because God throws in crystal chandeliers, mahogany floors, and the best construction in the world? Jim Bakker

I never, ever want to apologize for a film. If it's bad I'll say it's my fault. And that's what I can say so far in all the films that I've done, that if you don't like it, it's entirely my fault. Ken Burns

I probably owe an apology to fans that have been supportive and have not wanted to believe any of this was true. It takes a little bit of the sheen off of the mystique. George Michael

If God doesn't destroy Hollywood Boulevard, he owes Sodom and Gomorrah an apology. Jay Leno

An apology is the super-glue of life. It can repair just about anything. Lynn Johnston

If you even dream of beating me you'd better wake up and apologize. Muhammad Ali

I won't apologize for ticket prices. I think we're well worth it. We consider ourselves in the elite touring acts, like the Stones, Elton John, Paul McCartney. Glenn Frey

I'm not a Hollywood basher because enough good movies come out of the Hollywood system every year to justify its existence, without any apologies. Quentin Tarantino

It seems that whatever we do is somehow beyond reproach—murder, rape, drunk driving—as long as we go on a TV show and apologize. Eric Stoltz

The only correct actions are those that demand no explanation and no apology. Red Auerbach

Even the queen of television herself needed to say sorry for defending James Frey, author of 'A Million Little Pieces'.

I regret that phone call (to the Larry King show). I made a mistake and I left the impression that the truth does not matter. And I am deeply sorry about that, because that is not what I believe. To everyone who has challenged me on this issue of truth, you are absolutely right. Oprah Winfrey

For lengthier celebrity apologies, videos, and our review of how well they fared with their mea culpas, visit our public apology pages.

Quotes & Apologies from Authors and Thinkers

This next set of quotes about apologies come from renowned authors and profound thinkers.

A stiff apology is a second insult... The injured party does not want to be compensated because he has been wronged; he wants to be healed because he has been hurt. Gilbert K. Chesterton

Never apologize for showing your feelings. When you do, you are apologizing for the truth. Jose N. Harris

An apology for the devil: it must be remembered that we have heard one side of the case. God has written all the books. Samuel Butler

A businessman is the only man who is forever apologizing for his occupation. Gilbert K. Chesterton

Pride and ego makes a mockery of an apology. Humility wins forgiveness without question…so break ‘yo'self'! T. F. Hodge

Every young sculptor seems to think that he must give the world some specimen of indecorous womanhood, and call it Eve, Venus, a Nymph, or any name that may apologize for a lack of decent clothing. Nathaniel Hawthorne

An apology is a lovely perfume; it can transform the clumsiest moment into a gracious gift. Margaret Lee Runbeck

It is only fair to state, with regard to modern journalists, that they always apologize to one in private for what they have written against one in public. Oscar Wilde

Chocolate says "I'm sorry" so much better than words. Rachel Vincent

To love means loving the unlovable. To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable. Faith means believing the unbelievable. Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless. G.K. Chesterton

Friends are God's apology for relations. Hugh Kingsmill

It is a good rule in life never to apologize. The right sort of people do not want apologies, and the wrong sort take a mean advantage of them. P.G. Wodehouse

In this life, when you deny someone an apology, you will remember it at time you beg forgiveness. Toba Beta

Apologizing - a very desperate habit - one that is rarely cured. Oliver Wendell Holmes

Apology is only egotism wrong side out. Oliver Wendell Holmes

I loved and adored you, but I drained you like a thirsty man at a spring. I loved what you could give me - your admiration, your acceptance, your love, your forgiveness. I forgot to love you for yourself. Jennifer Ashley

Why must conversions always come so late? Why do people always apologize to corpses? David Brin

A hero is someone we can admire without apology. Kitty Kelley

I don't ask for an apology because it's only tomorrow's fish-and-chip paper. Tracey Emin

If it's a good idea, go ahead and do it. It's much easier to apologize than it is to get permission. Grace Hopper

Never forget the nine most important words of any family: I love you. You are beautiful. Please forgive me. H. Jackson Brown Jr.

Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future. Paul Boese

Sorry means you leave yourself open, to embrace or to ridicule or to revenge. Sorry is a question that begs forgiveness, because the metronome of a good heart won’t settle until things are set right and true. Sorry doesn’t take things back, but it pushes things forward. It bridges the gap. Sorry is a sacrament. It’s an offering. A gift. Craig Silvey

But sorry is the Kool-Aid of human emotions. True sorrow is as rare as true love. Stephen King

Love forgives and keeps no records of wrongs. Lailah Gifty Akita

Saying 'I'm sorry' is saying 'I love you' with a wounded heart in one hand and your smothered pride in the other. Richelle E. Goodrich

Flowers say you're sorry. A date says you've learnt your lesson. A diamond says both the above. All three and you're making her suspicious. Saleem Sharma

I'm sorry I can't save the world, I don't want any part in that. I just want to be remembered in a way where I can mean everything to one person, and save them from all the insecurities this world has created. R.M. Drake

True friends stab you in the front. Oscar Wilde

I love you and I always will and I am sorry. What a useless word. Ernest Hemingway

Let us forgive each other—only then will we live in peace. Leo Tolstoy

In some families, please is described as the magic word. In our house, however, it was sorry. Margaret Laurence

Genius goes around the world in its youth incessantly apologizing for having large feet. What wonder that later in life it should be inclined to raise those feet too swiftly to fools and bores. F. Scott Fitzgerald

It takes a great deal of character strength to apologize quickly out of one's heart rather than out of pity. A person must possess himself and have a deep sense of security in fundamental principles and values in order to genuinely apologize. Stephan Covey

It will never do to plead sin as an excuse for sin, or to attempt to justify sinful acts by pleading that we have an evil heart. This instead of being a valid apology, is the very ground of our condemnation. Archibald Alexander

Right actions in the future are the best apologies for bad actions in the past. Tryon Edwards

Maturity is the ability to reap without apology and not complain when things don't go well. Jim Rohn

Men are taught to apologize for their weaknesses, women for their strengths. Lois Wyse

Never ruin an apology with an excuse. Kimberly Johnson

When you realize you've made a mistake, make amends immediately. It's easier to eat crow while it's still warm. Dan Heist

As far as apology quotes go, this next one is a personal favorite...

To err is human, to forgive divine... Alexander Pope

Apology Quotes from Unknown Authors

These quotes on apologizing are suitable for him or her, or anyone else. If you know the names of any of the people who thought up these gems, please contact us so we can give them proper credit.

I overlooked your happiness in an attempt to make myself happy, only to realize that my happiness lies in yours. I am sorry, please forgive me. Author Unknown

How do I say the words, 'I'm sorry' when I know that words are not enough? And how can I ask you to forgive me when I know I can't forgive myself? Author Unknown

An apology is a good way to have the last word. Author Unknown

Keep your words soft and tender because tomorrow you may have to eat them. Author Unknown

The first to apologize is the bravest. The first to forgive is the strongest. The first to forget is the happiest. Author Unknown

If I said, 'I'm sorry' even though I don't know why I'm saying it, will it reduce my time in the corner? Author Unknown

You can't stay mad at this face...can you? Author Unknown

Take your time. Don't worry. I'll wait forever, if that is what it'll take for you to forgive me. I love you. Author Unknown

With a bruised heart and a deflated ego, with sad soul and a head hung low. I apologize to you unconditionally. Author Unknown

The only good thing about punctuality is that it usually gets you an apology. Author Unknown

I trust fate and I believe in love, which is why I know you'll accept my apology. I'm sorry. Author Unknown

Political Apology Quotes

The apology quotes below are all politically related. For those interested in the more sordid side of politics, we also provide a complete listing of Bill Clinton's apologies following the Lewinsky affair.

Forgiveness is not an occasional act, it is a constant attitude. Martin Luther King Jr.

Never ruin an apology with an excuse. Benjamin Franklin

Apologies only account for that which they do not alter. Benjamin Disraeli

Never make a defense or an apology until you are accused. King Charles I

I would like to apologize for referring to George W. Bush as a deserter. What I meant to say is that George W. Bush is a deserter, an election thief, a drunk driver, a WMD liar, and a functional illiterate. And he poops his pants. Michael Moore

Never apologize for showing feeling. When you do so you apologize for truth. Benjamin Disraeli

If the Americans go in and overthrow Saddam Hussein and it's clean, he has nothing, I will apologize to the nation, and I will not trust the Bush administration again. Bill O'Reilly

I rise today to offer a formal and heartfelt apology to all the victims of lynching in our history, and for the failure of the United States Senate to take action when action was most needed. George Allen

Nixon's grand mistake was his failure to understand that Americans are forgiving, and if he had admitted error early and apologized to the country, he would have escaped. Bob Woodward

Vietnam should remind conservatives that whenever you put your faith in big government for any reason, sooner or later you wind up an apologist for mass murder. Karl Hess

What would I have done if I'd been put to the test? Would I have risked my own life for people I hardly knew? Probably, I would have looked the other way at best or become another apologist for evil at worst. Lionel Blue

We hope that you've enjoyed these apology quotes, and in the words of Henry Kissinger...

Accept everything about yourself. I mean everything... You are you and that is the beginning and the end—no apologies, no regrets. Henry Kissinger

Learn how to use quotes in your apology or check out our list of the best quotes on regret.