I am with the above posts on this. I would never believe in such a thing that one human being can hold another one's best interests in a pure way. But I also don't think it's necessary, what I like much better is a balanced cooperation with mutual benefits.

However, I think that displays of self awareness and apologies only really matter if they are not empty words... but followed up with true efforts of trying to do differently. If it's just repetitive cycles of mistreatment, superficial remorse, apologies, then doing it all over, again and again, then it achieves nothing but further accumulation of resentments. Then it qualifies as conscious abuse even. Either that, or seriously being out of control.

I also do like how you think about not treating your clients the same way.