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About this quote

What does it mean?
A speaker is criticized for giving a long, irrelevant explanation instead of a simple apology.
In plain terms
Someone talked for too long instead of just saying sorry.
What can you take from it?
Over-explaining often annoys people more than admitting fault.

Where it applies

  • after a mistake
  • during conflict resolution

Putting it to work

  • apologizing briefly
  • avoiding excuses

Questions to consider

  • When is a simple apology better?
  • Have you heard long explanations instead of sorry?

Another view

Sometimes detailed explanations are necessary to clarify misunderstanding.

More from P. G. Wodehouse

  1. 'You're one of those guys who can make a party just by leaving it. It's a great gift.'

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  2. My Aunt Agatha, for instance, is tall and thin and looks rather like a vulture in the Gobi desert, while Aunt Dahlia is short and solid, like a scrum half in t…

    Permalink to quote #185
  3. His aspect was that of one who has been looking for the leak in a gas pipe with a lighted candle.

    Permalink to quote #182

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