Dignity and Save Face
Dignity and Save Face
When listening to putin talk yesterday, i realized, the western phrase dignity is analogous to the chinese save face. This means, in social situations, when someone's behavior is wrong or embarrassing, u want to be able to let the guy acknowledge the mistake, in a dignified way. Aka save face.
To save face (1898) first was used among the British community in China and is said to be from Chinese; it has not been found in Chinese, but tiu lien “to lose face” does occur. To save appearances “do something to prevent exposure, embarrassment, etc.” is by 1711; earlier save (the) appearances, a term in philosophy that goes back to ancient Greek in reference to a theory which explains the observed facts.
2024-02-09 from https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=save%20face
it is true, in chinese we don't have the phrase save face, but rather lose face. Same concept, different side of a coin.
Lose face, can be translated as embarrassment, but more so, lose grace, disgrace, shameful. But none are to the point as lose face.
This concept, is universal. It's quite interesting, has to do with human psychology and society, civilization. Akin to politeness and associated behaviors. Connected with hubris, conceit, respect, dignity. Most fitting is dignity.
fundamentally, the gist is that, when a group of human animals work together, there's certain unsaid mutual white lie about each other, somewhat like politeness, an established behavior pattern, such that optimize the group's cooperation.
But why does this work? What is it, that we have to say nice things or round-about and cannot be direct?
That comes down to human conceit. Conceit, is a human animal trait. That we believe we are right or superior.