How to Read “To err and not correct it—this is what we call an error”
Ayamachite aratamezaru kore wo ayamachi to iu
Meaning of “To err and not correct it—this is what we call an error”
This proverb means that the real mistake is not correcting an error once you’ve made it. Everyone makes mistakes because we’re all human. That in itself is unavoidable and not something to be blamed for.
However, the true error lies in refusing to acknowledge your mistake even when you realize it or when others point it out. It’s about not reflecting on it and continuing to repeat the same mistake. That’s what this proverb teaches us is the real problem.
This saying is used for people who won’t admit their faults or who keep making the same mistakes over and over. It’s also used as a reminder to ourselves. Even in modern society, this wisdom still applies to people who make excuses when they fail, blame others, or repeat the same errors.
The important thing isn’t avoiding failure altogether. What matters is learning from failure and having an attitude of growth. That’s what this proverb teaches us.
Origin and Etymology
This proverb is believed to come from the ancient Chinese text “The Analects,” specifically from Chapter 15, “Wei Ling Gong.” It’s recorded as a saying of Confucius and came to Japan long ago along with Confucian thought.
Confucius lived during the Spring and Autumn period, a time of continuous warfare. Many rulers kept making wrong decisions repeatedly. In this context, Confucius accepted that humans making mistakes was unavoidable.
What he actually criticized was the attitude of refusing to admit mistakes and not trying to correct them.
The word “ayamachi” (error) carries more than just the meaning of a simple mistake. It includes the deeper sense of a moral wrong. The negative form “aratamezaru” (not correcting) shows a strong will or attitude of refusing to change.
The expression “kore wo ayamachi to iu” (this is what we call an error) emphasizes that “this is the true mistake.”
In other words, this proverb doesn’t simply point out mistakes. It contains Confucius’s deep philosophy wishing for human growth and moral improvement. In Japan, it was widely taught in temple schools during the Edo period and became established as a fundamental teaching for character development.
Usage Examples
- He keeps being late no matter how many times he’s warned—truly “to err and not correct it—this is what we call an error”
- The problem isn’t the mistake itself, but his refusal to admit it—as they say, “to err and not correct it—this is what we call an error”
Universal Wisdom
This proverb has been passed down for thousands of years because it addresses the most fundamental human weakness. Everyone makes mistakes. That’s an unavoidable fact.
But what’s even more unavoidable is the psychological resistance to admitting our mistakes.
Why can’t people admit their errors? Because it hurts our pride. Admitting a mistake means acknowledging our ignorance or immaturity, and that causes psychological pain. People with especially high pride feel strong resistance to admitting their faults.
There’s also the fear that admitting mistakes means taking responsibility. So people make excuses, shift blame, and repeat the same errors.
However, our ancestors recognized that this is the greatest obstacle to human growth. Mistakes themselves are learning opportunities. In fact, it’s through mistakes that people can learn deeply and grow.
But if you don’t admit and correct your mistakes, you lose that precious learning opportunity. You end up stuck in the same place, making no progress.
This proverb isn’t demanding perfection. Rather, it’s wisdom based on a deep understanding of how imperfect humans can continue to grow.
When AI Hears This
The universe has an absolute law: “If left alone, things always become disordered.” This is the second law of thermodynamics, the law of increasing entropy. A broken cup won’t naturally repair itself. A room only gets messier without cleaning.
These aren’t coincidences—they’re universal necessities.
Here’s a surprising discovery: leaving mistakes uncorrected follows exactly this physical law. For example, imagine a small misunderstanding occurs in a relationship. If you don’t apologize and just leave it, will the misunderstanding naturally resolve itself?
The answer is no. Instead, over time, doubt grows, invites new misunderstandings, and the “ordered system” of the relationship gradually collapses. This isn’t an emotional issue—it’s the entropy of the system increasing.
According to physicists’ calculations, scattered states have overwhelmingly more “possible configurations.” An organized room has only one arrangement, but there are countless ways to be messy. That’s why nature always moves toward disorder.
Mistakes are the same. Left alone, their effects spread, become complex, and get out of control.
“Correcting” means investing energy to restore order. Like running a vacuum cleaner, you do the work of apologizing to restore the relationship. Without this, the situation will continue to worsen according to universal law.
Ethics aligns with physical law.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches modern people is this: don’t fear failure itself. Fear failing to learn from failure. More and more people fall into perfectionism and become extremely afraid of making mistakes.
But what you should really avoid isn’t the mistake itself—it’s the attitude of not admitting it and learning nothing from it.
When someone makes a mistake at work, people who honestly admit it and think about improvements earn trust. On the other hand, people who only make excuses lose trust, even if they’re highly capable. The same applies to relationships.
People who can apologize when they should, who can admit their faults—these are the people others gather around.
What’s important is developing the habit of turning mistakes into fuel for growth. When you fail, first acknowledge the facts. Next, calmly analyze why it happened. Then establish concrete measures to prevent repeating the same mistake.
People who can run this cycle are the ones who can grow continuously.
Your value isn’t determined by never making mistakes. It’s determined by continuing to learn from them. When you think of it that way, failure shouldn’t be scary anymore.
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