There is a certain degree of satisfaction in having the courage to admit one’s errors. It not only clears the air of guilt and defensiveness, but often helps solve the problem created by the error. Any fool can try to defend his or her mistakes – and most fools do – but it raises one above the herd and gives one a feeling of nobility and exultation to admit one’s mistakes.

Carnegie tells the story of taking his dog to the park without a leash, and then running into a police officer who scolded him, because it was against the law. Carnegie knew that his dog wouldn’t like being on a leash so he let him run free again next time. He ran into the officer again and knew he would be in trouble. Instead of waiting for the police officer to scold him again, Carnegie spoke up first, apologized, admitted he was wrong, admitted that he shouldn’t have done it, and that it won’t happen again.

The police officer was baffled and didn’t really know what to say at first. Then he responded in a very soft tone, told Carnegie it was OK, that he was overreacting, and even told him to take his dog off the leash on the other side of the hill where he wouldn’t see him. That policeman, being human, wanted a feeling of importance; so when I began to condemn myself, the only way he could nourish his self-esteem was to take the magnanimous attitude of showing mercy. I think that policeman also gained a feeling of importance by putting himself above the law by permitting Carnegie to let his dog off the leash on the other side of the hill where he wouldn’t see him.

Now ask yourself what would have happened if Carnegie didn’t admit he was wrong and instead would have defended himself and tried to justify his decision. The two would have ended up in a bad discussion about whether that law makes sense or not and that everyone has to obey the law even if they don’t think it makes sense. Would that have made the two best friends? Probably not. So, next time when you’re wrong, admit it. Don’t try to dance around it and attempt to sugar coat it. It’s better to just admit your mistake, say you’re sorry, and show contrition. Also, if you’ve made a mistake that might go unnoticed, challenge yourself to point it out and admit your mistake. That will save you a lot of energy than just waiting and secretly hoping that nobody will ever find out.”