Proverb / Kotowaza
過ちては改むるに憚ること勿れ
If you realize you have made a mistake, you should correct it immediately without worrying about your reputation or saving face.
If you have erred, do not hesitate to correct yourself
Quick Answer
If you realize you have made a mistake, you should correct it immediately without worrying about your reputation or saving face.
- Literal Image
- If you have erred, do not hesitate to correct yourself
- How to Use It
- Used to advise someone to admit an error or to praise the integrity of someone who quickly corrected their course after a mistake.
Meaning
This proverb teaches that the real error is not the initial mistake, but failing to fix it out of pride or fear of looking bad. One should have the integrity to admit a fault and change their actions as soon as the error becomes clear, rather than hesitating due to social appearance.
Literal Image
If you have erred, do not hesitate to correct yourself
How to Use It
Used to advise someone to admit an error or to praise the integrity of someone who quickly corrected their course after a mistake.
Tone
Instructive and moralizing; carries a sense of ancient wisdom.
Examples
間違いに気づいたならすぐに謝罪し、方針を変えた。過ちては改むるに憚ること勿れの精神だ。
Once I realized the mistake, I immediately apologized and changed the plan. It was in the spirit of not hesitating to correct one's errors.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The expression uses classical Japanese grammar such as the attributive form 'aratamuru' and the prohibitive 'nakare', along with formal kanji.
過ち
あやまち / ayamachi
mistake; error
改むる
あらたむる / aratamuru
to correct; to reform (classical form)
憚る
はばかる / habakaru
to hesitate; to be afraid of what others think
勿れ
なかれ / nakare
must not; do not (classical imperative)
Usage Profile
Usage note: Because of its classical and formal tone, it may sound overly stiff in very casual daily conversation.
Misread Risk
Do not confuse this with merely saying 'everyone makes mistakes'; this specifically emphasizes the act of immediate correction.
Search As
Related Proverbs
Origin
This expression is derived from a passage in the "Analects" (Lunyu) of Confucius: "To err and not to reform, this is indeed to err" (過ちて改めざる、これを過ちという).
Index
Topics, Situations, and Tags
Topics
Situations
Tags
Source Note
Where did this entry get its data from? The reference links are listed below. To understand how to read this section, see Data Sources.