Difference Between Reasons And Excuses
“We have forty million reasons for failure but not a single excuse”- Rayford Kipling
While reading the poem Résumé written by Dorothy Parker I was wondering if the author was giving reasons or excuses for her trying to commit a suicide and then telling us the reasons why not to. I noticed the same thing in the short story The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien that his story also had a lot of reasons and excuses for a lot of things in the story. So now I have started to figure out the difference between reasons and excuses and there is a very narrow line in between these two words. Reasons and excuses both the words are used for explaining. So where does the difference arise. The difference is in the
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For example I had to be in London for a job interview at quarter past 5 pm today, but my flight gets delayed due to weather conditions in Miami so I was not able to make it on time. Now, the rational thinking would suggest that weather being an unavoidable circumstance makes it a valid reason. This relived me of my responsibility of reaching there on time. It saved me from making a bad impression. On the other hand excuses are also an explanation for a particular situation or event but with a negative impression. As Agatha Christie said “To rush into explanations is always a sign of weakness.” I truly believe in her saying as it shows a sign of weakness. An explanation is usually provided to deny a responsibility or a liability. Excuses are repetitive and happen to be used every now and then. The blame is always put on something or someone. Excuses can be fully or partially true but seemingly avoidable. Excuses are mostly made-up. For example, I go out with friends on a Sunday night and show up at work late next day because I couldn’t wake up on time. Now I make up a story to avoid the consequences and seeking pardons. There were a lot of ways to avoid this situation so whatever reason I give, will be an excuse