克己

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 克己 (こっき) is a literary noun for self-mastery in overcoming desire or laziness to keep a commitment.
• Basic usage: 克己の精神 modifies the attitude sustaining daily practice, while 克己に努める makes self-discipline the endeavor pursued to keep a goal.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Disposition and sustained effort
  • 克己の精神 denotes an inner disposition, whereas 克己に努める is the effort to enact it. The direction should not be reversed into subduing another person.