when you make a mistake, don't hesitate to correct it; do not delay in making amends for your wrongs
A classical proverb from the Analects of Confucius. Used to encourage prompt self-correction and taking responsibility for one's errors. The language is literary and old-fashioned; it is not used in everyday conversation but may appear in formal writing, speeches, or discussions of ethics.
The Analects saying 'When you make a mistake, don't hesitate to correct it' is still quoted by many people today.
A slightly shortened variant without 則ち; the meaning is essentially the same.
Another Confucian saying: 'A mistake not corrected is a real mistake.' Emphasizes the importance of correction rather than the act of hesitating.
From the Analects of Confucius (論語). The classical Japanese reading reflects the kanbun kundoku tradition. The phrase is a direct quotation of a well-known Confucian maxim.