Know that although in the eternal scheme of things you are small, you are also unique and irreplaceable, as are all your fellow humans everywhere in the world.
Margaret LaurenceRead
In some families, please is described as the magic word. In our house, however, it was sorry.
Interpretation
What this quote means
In this quote, 'sorry' holds greater significance in the family's interactions than 'please'.
Margaret Laurence's quote highlights the importance of acknowledging mistakes and taking responsibility within familial relationships. Rather than just being polite with words like 'please', the emphasis on 'sorry' suggests that in her family, owning up to faults and expressing genuine remorse were key to maintaining strong bonds and fostering an environment of understanding and forgiveness.
Themes
FamilyApologyForgivenessRelationshipsCommunication
In practice
Example use cases
During a family gathering, someone might reflect on past disagreements and quote this to emphasize the importance of apologies.
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Sometimes I think my papa is an accordion. When he looks at me and smiles and breathes, I hear the notes.
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