Does saying " I'm sorry" is enough for you to give forgiveness?

In an ideal world, sincerely saying "I'm sorry" should be enough. But we do not live in an ideal world. Because there have been so many insincere apologies given to most of us, we are skeptical and unbelieving. The person offended or hurt tends to withhold forgiveness so they can see if the apology was sincere. Unfortunately, this practice is somewhat dangerous. The next step is that the withheld forgiveness is used as a power tool and held over the other person. Once this process starts, the relationship will be damaged worse than by the original offense. If the offense is big enough, and I know about this, then the person just may not be able to forgive. Trust becomes a big issue, and even if the desire to forgive is there, it may not happen, or it may take a long time. This is a reminder to never do anyone wrong assuming they will forgive you in the end.

Nah, I don't think that only saying "I am sorry" is enough. Had that been enough, then I could have not lost a very good friend of mine from my mistake. I even wrote her a poem to make her impressed but she is not getting happy with me. I have lost any hope now that she will come to me. So, sorry plus some guilty and plus some actions to make that person happy is the one which is required, as far as my experience tells me!

i agree with most of the responses. it really depends on the situation. more importantly, it depends on the sincerity of the person saying those words. if it is a small matter, the words are pretty enough. if it is a grave matter, i may not forgive no matter what the person does. sincerity also plays a big role. if i can sense that the person is sincere in the apology and is truly sorry, i'm more likely to forgive. however, if it's like a say-it-to-appease-you kind, i don't think i can forgive.

Hi careguarden, You are right, sometimes I feel angry to listen the word 'sorry'. May be the person hurt you so deeply and later saying a 'sorry' won't work. In that case I need time to recover from the hurt feelings. I won't be happy after listening the sorry. But the time can heal the wound after hearing the apology. It really depends on situations.

In most cases a "sorry" will be enough. But nowadays people take that work for granted and use it all the time without meaning it. Ive seen people who do wrong things over and over again and think they can get away with it with just saying that word. Say that your friend killed your mom, a sorry is not going to cover it. "sorry" is just a word. It doesnt mean anything without action.

Honestly, it's not enough. Just pure words is not enough. Actions still speak louder than words. So better yet do it than just say it. "I'm sorry" word is the most abused word/phrase next to "I love you"

For some people, it's hard to say I'm sorry. It needs a lot of humbleness to say that two magic words. For me, if anyone who says sorry for the sin committed against me is enough for me to forgive. But there are instances that it's easy to Forgive but hard to Forget!

If it is said with sincerity then it is worth forgiving. However many people say it because they are forced to say so and you can see it in their eyes ,in the manner in which they say it and by the tone of their voice. In such cases you will not feel like forgiving the person who has done wrong to you.

There are some who cannot even say that much but will show by their actions that they are regretful. If you believe that the person is truly sorry, I'd forgive, no matter what is said or not said.

Whether the person is sincere or not we must forgive but we should be cautious in dealing with this person. Giving this person to prove that he is sorry for what he did.

Hello, I believe that everything in life shouldn't be and cannot be forgiven.Sometimes forgiving everything becomes a sign of weakness.People judge you to be a weak person and are always looking for ways to cheat and harm you.SO you should never forgive everything.But at the same time don't seethe with hatred.That can harm you.

It depends on what was done IMHO. My kids can do something by accident and say they are sorry. But, I think if something was intentional then no. Or how severe it was. Like cheating or lying to ones significant other. NO matter if you are married or not is wrong. You have an agreement. Or stealing something from someone who is less fortunate than you. That's wrong. Anything you know is wrong but, do it anyway with no real remorse should not be forgiven. That doesn't mean you can't be an adult and be civil. You just don't forgive.

maybe sometimes is enough but not always it depends on different situations "I'm sorry" maybe is enough for one to forgive but it's not always enough to cure the pain just like a murder who hurted your family .Maybe you are very kind-hearted and you forgive him but we know that a deep pain is in your mind.

When someone uses sorry repetitively it does wear thin, and you also start to wonder why they are always doing things wrong to have to say sorry. I had a boyfriend who used to hit me then cry and say sorry, but I don't think he really was because he would do it again. Apparently sorry actually means you wil try really hard not to do it again. When it is used sincerely and they mean it that's great!

Most of the time I'm sorry will do the trick. It really depends on how bad the thing was that was done. If my husband says something that hurts my feelings, I usually need a little more that I'm sorry. It helps to know that the person knows what they did and why they are sorry. Anyone can say sorry and not mean it, so it helps to know that they understand what they did. Sometimes all you can do is say you are sorry and hope people forgive you.

Yes, I think so. But the 'sorry'should come from the bottom of the heart! Action speaks more than words. If a person is genuinely sorry, we can find it written all over his face. For me, this is enough.

It depends what they are apologising for. If it is something simple then yes sorry is enough, if it is something major with the intention to hurt you then no, something else may be required like the knowledge that person is remorseful over whatever it is they have done.

My response will be a little different. Whenever I get angry or hurt of her any activity, she says "I am Sorry" then I feel more hurt than before. I don't know why it happens to me. So, I told her not to say me sorry about anything. From that day she told me that " I will not do any thing that you don't like, its my promise"

I think it depends on how serious the mistake is and my attitude or mood.

It is enough for me to forgive , provided I intuitively feel that the person is very sincerely and honestly sorry.