It is never too late to regret
Published: 30 May. 2024, 19:09
SHIN BOK-RYONG
The author is an emeritus professor of history at Konkuk University.
As I get older, I spend more time looking back on the past rather than worrying about the future or making plans. Looking back does not always bring beautiful memories, and I have more regrets. It is not easy living a life without regrets. I recall the moments when I should have been more decisive or the moments when I was reluctant or not generous enough. On the last day of life, people express regrets rather than cherishing beautiful moments.
Kou Zhun was a prime minister in the Song Dynasty. He was a famous poet and a respected politician. He served in the reign of Emperor Taizhong, and due to his upright character and frank advice, the emperor compared him to Wei Zheng, a great prime minister of the Tang Dynasty.
In retrospection of his life, Kou Zhun wrote about his “Six Regrets.” He regretted that he was corrupt as an official and lost power, that he became poor because he was not frugal when he was rich, that he missed the timing because he didn’t study hard when he was young, that he had to use skills that he did not learn despite having the chance, that he was drunk and spoke carelessly and that he did not take care of his health and became ill.
Anyone may regret the above six things. Probably because of my profession, people around me most likely regret not studying when they were young. Happiness is not related to grades, but you still need to study hard. The next regret is not taking care of health. The fact that there is no medicine for regret makes us more painful. But it is never too late to regret.
The author is an emeritus professor of history at Konkuk University.
As I get older, I spend more time looking back on the past rather than worrying about the future or making plans. Looking back does not always bring beautiful memories, and I have more regrets. It is not easy living a life without regrets. I recall the moments when I should have been more decisive or the moments when I was reluctant or not generous enough. On the last day of life, people express regrets rather than cherishing beautiful moments.
Kou Zhun was a prime minister in the Song Dynasty. He was a famous poet and a respected politician. He served in the reign of Emperor Taizhong, and due to his upright character and frank advice, the emperor compared him to Wei Zheng, a great prime minister of the Tang Dynasty.
In retrospection of his life, Kou Zhun wrote about his “Six Regrets.” He regretted that he was corrupt as an official and lost power, that he became poor because he was not frugal when he was rich, that he missed the timing because he didn’t study hard when he was young, that he had to use skills that he did not learn despite having the chance, that he was drunk and spoke carelessly and that he did not take care of his health and became ill.
Anyone may regret the above six things. Probably because of my profession, people around me most likely regret not studying when they were young. Happiness is not related to grades, but you still need to study hard. The next regret is not taking care of health. The fact that there is no medicine for regret makes us more painful. But it is never too late to regret.
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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