To err is human (, to forgive divine)

Definitie & Betekenis van "to err is human (, to forgive divine)"

to err is human (, to forgive divine)

used to imply that making mistakes is a natural part of being human, and it is important to forgive people when they make mistakes

Proverb

What is the origin of the proverb "to err is human" and when to use it?

The origin of the proverb "to err is human" can be traced to the ancient Roman philosopher Seneca, who expressed a similar idea in his work 'Letters to Lucilius.' However, the phrase became widely known after it was popularized in English by Alexander Pope in his poem 'An Essay on Criticism' (1709), where he wrote, "To err is human, to forgive divine." It highlights the idea that errors are an unavoidable part of life and that they should be met with understanding and forgiveness. The proverb serves as a reminder to accept human flaws and to approach mistakes with patience and compassion.

Example

As a manager, I encourage my team to take responsibility for their mistakes and to show understanding and forgiveness towards their colleagues, knowing that to err is human, to forgive divine.