Punishment because of the behaviors in the past or in the future?

Punishment because of the behaviors in the past or in the future?

You would think this question is ridiculous. But it is serious for the Han Chinese.

When the Han Chinese want to punish you, they would tell you it is because you did something wrong in the past, and also because you would do something wrong in the future (they punish you to prevent you from doing anything wrong).

But, if you want to punish the Han Chinese because what they did in the past, they would viciously shout at you, "Why can't you forget anything happened in the past?!" "Why do you remember something happened in the past?!" They think you are wrong when you remember what they did in the past. What if you remember something they would do in the future? You would get slapped.

So, should we get punished because we did something wrong IN THE PAST or IN THE FUTURE?
Either for you.
Neither for the Han Chinese.