Tag Archives: regret

On words, the eating thereof

If it happens too often, you might want some grains of salt. 前言撤回 zen.gen.te-.kkai Literally: before – say – withdraw – revolve Alternately: “I take it back.” A phrase that negates a previous phrase, opinion, or comment. Notes: This “practical” … Continue reading

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Failure to plan is planning to…

…murder thousands of your own citizens, if one of the things you’re supposed to plan for is an emergency situation! 遠慮なければ近憂あり (Enryo nakereba kin’yuu ari; “Without forethought, worry is forthcoming”) Definition: If you don’t act and plan with an eye … Continue reading

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The fish not taken

By Robert Frost? 釣り落とした魚は大きい (Tsuriotoshia sakana wa ookii; “The fish that got away is big”) Definition: The things that you lost your chance at, or failed to get, seem all the more appealing because of the pain of missing out. … Continue reading

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Pull your sheep, a good life to keep

牽羊悔亡 ken.you.kai.bou Literally: pull / lead – sheep – regret – perish Alternately: You’ll be unhappy unless you take an active part in shaping things. If you see something through properly instead of just letting it run its natural course, … Continue reading

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How many grets before they start repeating?

千恨万悔 sen.kon.ban.kai Literally: thousand – regret / resentment – ten thousand – regret / repentance Alternately: Overwhelming feelings of regret about the past. Notes: Some versions may not use 万, but rather the archaic form of the same character, 萬. … Continue reading

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I never look back, darling

It distracts from the now. 後悔先に立たず (Koukai saki ni tatazu; “Don’t put regret in front.”) Definition: An admonition: Don’t regret things that are over and done. Don’t spend time ruing something that can no longer be changed. “Don’t cry over spilled milk.” … Continue reading

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