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. wareI, myself
  2. kotodeeds, things
  3. niin, at
  4. おいて
  5. 後悔
  6. 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