Admit our mistakes

Say about yourself all the derogatory (貶低的) things you know the other person is thinking or wants to say or intends to say --- and say them before that person has a chance to say them...a generous, forgiving attitude will be taken and your mistakes will be minimized.

There is a certain degree of satisfaction in having the courage to admit one's errors. It not only clears the air of guilt and defensiveness, but often helps solve the problem created by the error.

Any fool can try to defend his or her mistakes --- and most fools do --- but it raises one above the herd (人群) and gives one a feeling of nobility (高尚) and exultation (得意) to admit one's mistakes.

Elbert Hubbard, "Come to think it over, I don't entirely agree with it myself. Not everything I wrote yesterday appeals to (訴諸) me today. I am glad to learn what you think on the subject. The next time you are in the neighborhood you must visit us and we'll get this subject threshed (翻滾) out for all time. So here is a handclasp (握手) over the miles..."

Carnegie, D. (1981). How to Win Friends & Influence People (Revised Ed.) New York, NY: Pocket Books.