“And oftentimes excusing of a fault doth make the fault the worse by the excuse.”
- April 26, 1564 – April 23, 1616
- Born in England
- Playwright, poet, actor
- Wrote many masterpieces such as “Hamlet,” “Romeo and Juliet,” and “Macbeth,” and had a great influence on English literature
Quote
“And oftentimes excusing of a fault doth make the fault the worse by the excuse.”
Explanation
This quote from Shakespeare’s King Lear suggests that making excuses for a mistake or wrongdoing can sometimes make the situation worse, rather than better. “Excusing of a fault” refers to offering reasons or justifications for a mistake or flaw, while “doth make the fault the worse by the excuse” implies that by trying to defend or minimize the wrongdoing, one can actually draw more attention to it and make it seem more significant. Instead of taking responsibility and correcting the error, offering an excuse can give the impression that the fault is more serious or that the person is avoiding accountability.
In modern contexts, this quote speaks to the idea that avoiding responsibility or shifting blame can often escalate a situation rather than resolve it. For instance, when someone makes a mistake and then tries to explain it away with an excuse, others may see that as an attempt to avoid ownership or downplay the issue. This can lead to more frustration or a loss of trust, as people often value honesty and accountability over justifications. The quote warns against the tendency to make excuses when it’s better to own up to mistakes and seek resolution.
Ultimately, this quote highlights the importance of accountability and honesty when dealing with faults or errors. It suggests that, instead of trying to excuse or justify our mistakes, we should acknowledge them and work toward correcting them, as making excuses often compounds the problem.
