相手が過失を認めて頭を下げて謝った場合、許すのは思いやり、これ即ち人情。それを許さないのは傲慢。相手が過失を無視あるいは否定しているのを許すのは、寛容。過失を知っていて否定するのは卑怯。自分の過失に気がつかないのは無知。否定している過失が許せないのは「わがまま」。反省は行く先の道しるべを築くもの。反省できない人は常に不安で、不幸。
If a person admits an error and apologizes head lowered, forgiving is compassion; it reveals humanity. Refusing to forgive is arrogance. To forgive another who disregards or denies her/his error requires tolerance. To deny one’s own error knowingly is cowardice; to be oblivious of it is ignorance. Refusing to forgive an error the culprit denies is being self-indulgent. Reflecting on one’s own actions sets road signs along our way ahead. One who cannot reflect therefore suffers anxiety and is unhappy.
If a person admits an error and apologizes head lowered, forgiving is compassion; it reveals humanity. Refusing to forgive is arrogance. To forgive another who disregards or denies her/his error requires tolerance. To deny one’s own error knowingly is cowardice; to be oblivious of it is ignorance. Refusing to forgive an error the culprit denies is being self-indulgent. Reflecting on one’s own actions sets road signs along our way ahead. One who cannot reflect therefore suffers anxiety and is unhappy.
Writing this translation it occurred to me that there is no word in English corresponding to the Japanese hansei; more accurately, it signifies not merely reflecting but reviewing and re-evaluating one’s past conduct reflectively.
