If someone gives you an excuse, could they be telling the truth or does this mean it is a lie?
2006-11-18 07:43:47 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
The French have a great saying: "Qui s'excuse s'accuse", which means "anyone excusing himself is accusing himself." It shows what they think of excuses!
But there is such a thing as a sincere excuse. If, for example, you arrive late somewhere after a whole series of catastrophic events which were none of your making. It's for you to gauge whether the person is telling the truth or not and react accordingly.
2006-11-18 13:04:14 · answer #1 · answered by Doethineb 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It really depends on whether they are LYING or telling the TRUTH. Just because it's an excuse doesn't mean it's a lie. An excuse is a way of telling someone why something went wrong so the other person won't jump to so many conclusions.
Hope that helps.
:-)
2006-11-18 07:46:54 · answer #2 · answered by LaMathrick B 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If I show up late and I said something along the lines, "Sorry I'm late their was an accident on the road and traffic was blocked". This may be true and is my excuse for being late. I just want to explain that I was late due to things outside my control and it had nothing to do with me being thoughtless.
This excuse might be a lie, if I show up late most of the time and always have a different excuse.
2006-11-18 07:54:49 · answer #3 · answered by Just Wondering 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good question. An excuse could be anything between an elaborate lie or a slight bending of the truth to suit the situation. If its the absolute truth, then its not an excuse, its a reason.
2006-11-18 08:00:30 · answer #4 · answered by G 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Of course it can, sometimes you can't help certain things like traffic, planning another activity that last longer than you thought it would, something coming up (especially if you have kids) might want more detail in what came up rather than those vague terms though and of course, people really do get sick but that one depends on how often you've known the person to be sick and how they feel about what you had planned. If it is an activity/event you know the person doesn't like, then more in likely it is an excuse but rejoice they care enough not to want to hurt your feelings plus if they hate the activity/event they would have been a drag anyways. :)
2006-11-18 08:02:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I am sure you have an excuse for something.
It could be true or not true.
A reason is the same..
2006-11-18 07:49:57 · answer #6 · answered by StarShine G 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
an excuse can be the truth its just an explanation as to why something has not gone as planned
2006-11-18 08:05:21 · answer #7 · answered by lula 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes! Some can receive a call on the way out the door regarding medical emergencies, friend having a melt-down, etc... I have had all of these happen to me.
2006-11-18 08:19:25 · answer #8 · answered by Julia B 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes. An excuse is just a reason why something did not occur.
2006-11-18 07:47:53 · answer #9 · answered by Belie 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
yes but excuses are bad
2006-11-18 07:47:05 · answer #10 · answered by raven*** 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋