"Une excuse est pire et plus terrible qu'un mensonge car une excuse est un mensonge déguisé"

Let's break down what this quote is really getting at. At its core, it’s saying that making excuses is actually worse than just outright lying. Why? Because when you make an excuse, you’re essentially building a fortress around a lie—protecting it, nurturing it, giving it room to grow. It’s like putting a nice wrapper around something ugly.

Now, think about when and why someone might say this. Picture a scenario where someone’s disappointed you. Maybe it was a friend who bailed on plans last minute or a coworker who missed a deadline. Instead of just admitting they messed up, they come up with a list of reasons—traffic was bad, they weren’t feeling well, their dog needed extra attention. At that moment, the excuses they pile on might seem less harmful than saying, “I just didn’t prioritize it.” But are they really? What they’re doing is weaving a web of half-truths and avoiding taking responsibility.

Take John, for example. John is a project manager at a small tech startup. He’s a likeable guy, always ready with a smile and a story. But here's the thing—John has a habit of making excuses. When his team misses a milestone, he blames it on unexpected client demands or unforeseen technical issues. Sounds reasonable, right? But after a while, his team starts to notice a pattern. The excuses are just covering up poor planning and lack of management. The trust in John erodes, and people start second-guessing his words. A straight-up admission of a mistake would’ve been tough to swallow, sure, but it would’ve been an honest foundation they could work from.

So, how do you apply this nugget of wisdom in your own life? Simple. Own your actions. If you’re late to a meeting because you overslept, say that. Don’t blame it on traffic. If you forgot your friend’s birthday, admit it. Don’t say the calendar reminder didn’t go off. Honesty, even when it's uncomfortable, fosters trust and respect. It shows you’re human and willing to grow from your missteps.

Imagine you’re a student named Sarah. You've got a big paper due, but you totally forgot about it until the night before. You could email your professor and say your computer crashed or your internet was down. But instead, you own up to it. You tell your professor you lost track of time, and you’re going to do your best to get it in as soon as possible. The professor might not be thrilled, but they’ll appreciate the honesty. They’re more likely to offer you the support you need because you’ve shown integrity.

Remember: excuses might seem like an easy way out, but they’re just sophisticated lies. They can damage your credibility and relationships over time. So next time you’re tempted to make an excuse, think twice. It’s better to be straightforward and face the consequences head-on. It’s about being real, and people respect that. And hey, we all mess up—it’s how we handle those moments that really show our character.