Quotes about excuses

Building alibis is a deeply rooted habit. Habits are difficult to break, especially when they provide justification for something we do. Plato had this truth in mind when he said, The first and best victory is to conquer self. To be conquered by self is, of all things, the most shameful and vile. p. 173

Building alibis with which to explain away failure is a national pastime. The habit is as old as the human race, and is fatal to success! Why do people cling to their pet alibis? The answer is obvious. They defend their alibis because THEY CREATE them! A man's alibi is the child of his own imagination. It is human nature to defend one's own brain-child. p. 173

Someone who says “I am busy” is either declaring incompetence (and lack of control of his life) or trying to get rid of you.

Using, as an excuse, others’ failure of common sense is in itself a failure of common sense.

When we want to do something while unconsciously certain to fail, we seek advice so we can blame someone else for the failure.

It is a weak man who blames his failures on the strength of others.

Only boys were so foolish that they actually believed their arguments were their reasons.

Haven't you ever seen a 3-year-old when he makes a foolish blunder? He looks at whatever child or adult is nearby and screams at him "Look at what you made me do!" That's the moral universe that [they] always lived in.

You will always have some excuse not to live your life.

Several excuses are always less convincing than one.

For the truth is that our doctrines are usually only the justification a posteriori of our conduct, or else they are our way of trying to explain that conduct to ourselves.

In her face excuse

Came prologue, and apology too prompt.