KANAE
082Japanese quotation 名言

我、事において後悔せず

Ware, koto ni oite kōkai sezu

“In my deeds, I know no regret.”

Attributed to Miyamoto Musashi · Edo

The meaning

Not the pride of never erring, but the resolve to act fully: decide with care, do your best, then do not gnaw at the past.

At the origin

A precept from the Dokkōdō, the rule of life written by swordsman Miyamoto Musashi shortly before his death (1645).

The characters

  1. 我 wareI, myself
  2. 、
  3. 事 kotodeeds, things
  4. に niin, at
  5. おいて
  6. 後悔
  7. せず

The complete word-by-word reading, in KANAE.

ParticleThe point of arrival: a place, a moment, a destination.

In practice

Decide carefully — then forbid yourself to replay the decision.

Themes

In the collections · Tsuwamono

Similar proverbs

Related expressions

See also