Any Old Excuse!

The human mind is an expert at rationalization. No matter the situation, no matter the moral weight involved, people have an uncanny ability to find an excuse—any excuse—to do what they have always wanted to do. Whether it be a flimsy justification, a disassociated rationale, or an entirely intangible leap of logic, excuses serve as convenient enablers for desires, actions, and speech that might otherwise be deemed inappropriate, unnecessary, or even outright wrong.
The power of an excuse lies in its ability to provide psychological comfort. It offers a shield against guilt and external judgment, allowing a person to convince themselves (and often others) that their actions are justified. In many cases, the excuse is merely a thin veil covering a long-held intent. A person who wishes to end a friendship might seize upon a minor disagreement as the final straw. A politician eager to push a specific agenda might cite an unrelated crisis as the justification for sweeping reforms. A child caught misbehaving might blame fatigue, peer pressure, or even the weather—anything but their own willful decision-making.
History provides countless examples of excuses being used to justify actions that individuals or societies have long wished to take. Wars have been waged over the flimsiest of pretexts, with leaders using any available rationale to rally support. Laws have been introduced under the guise of necessity, only to serve underlying ambitions. On a personal level, people make everyday choices based on the same principle: waiting for a minor justification to finally act on something they have always wanted to do.
Two wrongs do not make a right, yet excuses often follow a flawed logic that suggests otherwise. Someone slighted might feel justified in responding with an equal or greater offense. A person cheated on in a relationship might feel entitled to do the same in return. In such cases, the excuse serves not as a reasoned argument but as a license to act without the burden of self-reflection or restraint. It is far easier to say, "They started it," than to consider a measured response.
The irony is that excuses are so readily available that they lose their meaning. If someone truly wants to do something, they will find a justification, no matter how disjointed it may be from reality. This is why individuals and societies must be cautious in accepting justifications at face value. It is crucial to ask: Is this a genuine reason, or merely a convenient excuse to do what one has always wanted?
Ultimately, "Any Old Excuse!" reveals a fundamental truth about human nature: the desire to act precedes the justification. It is not the excuse that drives the action, but the action that seeks out an excuse. Recognizing this tendency allows for greater accountability, both personally and collectively, forcing people to confront their real motives rather than hiding behind convenient justifications. Excuses may be plentiful, but true integrity lies in resisting their allure.