Robert Christy, comp. Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages. 1887.

Excuse

A poor excuse is better than none.Latin.

An unasked excuse infers transgression.Italian.

An excuse is good if it hold good.Italian.

Any excuse will serve when one has not a mind to do a thing.Italian.

Better a bad excuse than none at all.

He that does amiss never lacks excuses.Italian.

He who excuses himself, accuses himself.French, Italian, Dutch.

That which is customary requires no excuse.Italian.

Why should excuse be born or e’er begot.Shakespeare.