Entry 42:
"You wrong yourself in this. You have deeply and sorely repented. Your sin is left behind you, in the days long past. Your present life is not less holy, in very truth, than it seems in people’s eyes. Is there no reality in the penitence thus sealed and witnessed by good works? And wherefore should it not bring you peace?”
"Happy are you, Hester, that wear the scarlet letter openly upon your bosom! Mine burns in secret!"
He's trying to tell Hester that compared to her, he has not nearly suffered enough. However, Hester tries to comfort him because she knows how much he pain he endures because of their sin. People see Dimmesdale with a religious purpose, and since he is a reverend helping people, it's considered a good deed, and so that should help bring him peace. He rebuttals by saying that he has had penance, but no repentance like she has. Also, her scarlet letter is open for everyone to see, while he hides his in secret.
He has had no penance because he has repented. He needs to repent in public (in the light).
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