Can someone cheat and be genuinely sorry about it?

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

In my opinion yes, but it's extremely rare. Almost all cheaters are sorry they got caught, not for what they did.

In my opinion, if they confessed out of their own volition, maybe even before their partner suspects anything, recognize the hurt they caused and are willing to face the consequences, it would mean they genuinely regret it.

[Account]

Yes.

I wouldn't give a crap regardless.
My empathy is gone the exact second I find out they betrayed me.
That is how it works for me.

Not that I have been cheated - at least not to my knowledge-, but I guess all of us have been betrayed in one way or another, either by a companion or a person we deemed close, so I know exactly how I feel about that.

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

I can understand that.
I got cheated on twice, first time I was almost happy about it because it gave me the excuse to break up without looking the bad guy.
Second time, not so much. More than anger, there was a lot of sadness on both parties.

[Account]

I am really sorry you have been through that twice.
As for the 2nd time without the anger it seems more heart-breaking to me.
You are a more understanding person and less selfish person than me, if you managed to forgive it.

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

Thank you. She did everything I described in the question, so we slowly worked it out. The scar is still there but is fading.
I'm selfish too, perhaps in different ways.

[ZackBan]

Anyone with functioning empathy in their brain (i. e. not a psychopath) feels regret and shame when they do something bad like cheating. Even if they never get caught they'll know it themselves and their subconscious tends to punish them with a declining mental health.

So to answer the question: yes a cheater could truly be sorry.
But it's not the same as repenting or deserving forgiveness they still willingly cause a lot of pain to someone else

[OlderAndWiser]

As you observed, cheaters are sorry when they are caught buy I'm not sure they are capable of feeling remorse for their actions.

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

I think some do. Maybe the 5% of them.

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

I don’t believe cheaters are able to have normal relationships. Cheating shows a huge lack of self-control. I’d never knowingly date someone who had cheated on his partners in the past.

[TrueConfection]

Sure, we can all regret any of our actions. The problem with infidelity is that the cheater had zero regard for their partner or the promise they took. An apology or regret can't buy integrity.

[RavVid]

Broadly I'd agree. Cheaters are probably even more sorry about the consequences than being sorry at being caught.

Some cheaters aren't sorry at all because they have already decided to leave the relationship and are focused on lining up the replacement.

[laly520]

some people regret n feel bad but mostly cheaters dont

[Jamie05rhs]

Not sure. But either way she's still getting dumped.

[BoopBoopBeep]

Sure. People regret choices all the time. Doesn't excuse it.

[SapoVato]

If they feel bad right after and go straight to their partner. This is just an opinion. I don't think it counts if they are caught during or later after then they are just sorry they got caught. Would've they have told you otherwise

[KittygosMeoWW]

No, it’s not acceptable. If you care for your partner or have any common decency you break it off beforehand.

[KittygosMeoWW]

Cheating is conscious choice to put your needs before someone’s and willingly hurt them. If you sleep with your monogamous partner after fucking someone else you take their right to consensual sex.

I’m done talking about this on here lol but my ex was sleeping with other men, trannies, and other women during my pregnancy. It was really over whelming and made me feel disgusting because I might as well have fucked them too and an std could’ve harmed not only me but our child.

[OtterMan68]

Yes, everyone deserves a second chance, but not a third

[NathanDavis]

I think so, yes

[Roudyrebel8]

Possible but rare

[Fireguy17]

sorry that they got caught.

[Ms_Facesitter]

Yes but it's usually too late by then.