I think that having this skill is something that is vital in acting like a mature and responsible member of society. Having the ego strength to take back anything that you may have said once you realise that it was wrong. I guess it isn't actually necessary to feel no pain as you do it, but it most definitely helps you to be willing to do it more frequently if it doesn't hurt you. If you can handle something as huge of a blow to your ego as admitting that you're wrong, then you can handle anything.