Tongfang Academy
Micro Party Class · Issue 363
Cultivate the habit of self-reflection and self-motivation.
“Theoretical cultivation is the core of the comprehensive quality of Party members and cadres. Theoretical maturity is the foundation for political maturity, and political steadfastness stems from theoretical clarity.” For Party members and cadres, fostering a fine academic style and strengthening theoretical education are both fundamental requirements for cultivating Party spirit and an inescapable political responsibility.
Tongfang Law Firm provides all its lawyers with learning opportunities in the form of micro-party classes, thereby enhancing their ideological and political awareness as well as their spirit of learning and inquiry. By establishing a long-term educational mechanism, the firm has created a new platform for self-education and self-improvement.
Chinese culture has long upheld the tradition of being strict with oneself, practicing self-discipline, and cultivating one’s character. Sayings such as “I examine myself three times a day” and “When things don’t go as planned, look inward and reflect on oneself” all embody this principle. Self-reflection and self-motivation are not only a form of cultural awareness but also an intrinsic requirement for Chinese Communists to transform their inner world and strengthen their Party spirit. If Party members and cadres develop the habit of frequently asking themselves probing questions and engaging in introspection, they can sharpen their minds, clarify their vision, steady their spirits, and refine their character—thus remaining true to their original aspirations, unwavering in their convictions, and forging ahead with determination.
This habit of self-reflection and self-motivation was, in Comrade Peng Dehuai, a form of “self-discipline by way of self-criticism.” In 1948, Peng Dehuai led the Northwest Field Army to deliver a brilliant victory in the Wazi Street area and felt deeply gratified. On his way back from the front-line positions to the command post, he suddenly halted his cheerful stride, slapped his leather belt against the palm of his left hand, and muttered to himself, “Peng Dehuai—don’t you dare become proud, don’t you dare become proud!” At the meeting to summarize lessons learned from the Xifu Campaign, during which the army had suffered heavy casualties, he pointed with his right hand toward his own forehead and said, “Peng Dehuai, Peng Dehuai—where has all your study of Marxism-Leninism gone?” It was precisely this attitude of self-questioning and self-examination that kept him from becoming arrogant in victory and from losing heart in defeat, enabling him to achieve the remarkable feats and earn the renowned reputation: “Who dares to stand tall with sword drawn? Only I, General Peng, can!”
Self-alertness helps one maintain integrity, and self-reflection enables one to ponder on past mistakes—Comrade Peng Dehuai truly embodied these principles. He once said that no matter how busy he was, he would always set aside half a day each month to carefully review everything he had done, identifying what he had done right and what he had done wrong, so as to minimize errors or avoid them altogether. Faced with the myriad temptations in society, Party members and cadres must frequently hold themselves up against the Party Constitution as a mirror and measure themselves by Party rules. Through this constant self-examination and "self-criticism," they can promptly discard the garbage of desire, dispel the shadows in their thoughts, and prevent their original aspirations from becoming tarnished. Only then can they truly stand firm in times of adversity—when winds are fierce and rains are torrential; keep their vision high amid lush flowers and vibrant willows; and turn back early when the path is perilous and the trail fraught with danger.
This habit of self-reflection and self-motivation was, in Comrade He Long, a case of “seeing the big picture in the small details.” In 1937, when He Long traveled to Yan'an for a meeting, he ran out of tobacco leaves. Seeing this, his guard took it upon himself to send a message to the quartermaster of the logistics department, asking him to help buy some more tobacco leaves. When He Long learned that the tobacco leaves had been purchased using public funds, he shook his head and said, “So it seems I, He Long, have committed the crime of misappropriating public money!” He then ordered his guard: “Immediately inform the quartermaster that this expense must be recorded as a debt owed by me, He Long, and must not be offset against any other funds. After the meeting, I’ll repay the full amount without fail.” Later, he personally signed a contract with the quartermaster stipulating that he would cut his personal living expenses by half—reducing salt, oil, and vegetables in every meal, even going so far as to skip vegetables altogether. In this way, he persevered for over two months, fully repaying the debt for the tobacco leaves.
Comrade He Long took even the “small matters” concerning tobacco leaves seriously and promptly corrected any mistakes, demonstrating his noble character and rigorous work style. “If one fails to pay attention to minor conduct, it will eventually undermine one’s great virtue.” Party members and cadres should take the older generation of revolutionaries as role models, always maintaining a heightened sense of vigilance—walking on thin ice and standing at the brink of an abyss—and never tolerating or turning a blind eye to “small issues,” nor ever violating rules or overstepping boundaries because of “trivial matters.” By being meticulous in even the smallest details, they can accumulate small but significant achievements and forge an unbreakable, indomitable character.
This habit of self-reflection and self-motivation was, in Comrade Dong Biwu, a form of “voluntary self-criticism.” In 1941, living conditions at the Eighth Route Army Office in Hongyan Village, Chongqing, were extremely difficult. To economize on expenses and oversee logistical support, Dong Biwu personally formulated food standards for the office, clearly stipulating that all expenditures must be meticulously recorded and absolutely no overspending was permitted. Once, during the month-end settlement, he discovered that 60 cents—expenses that should not have been reimbursed—had been mistakenly approved for reimbursement. Deeply remorseful, he said to his colleagues: “Our Party’s funds did not come easily; every single cent was earned through the hard work, even the blood and lives, of our comrades. We have nothing but the responsibility to manage them carefully and precisely—we have no right to waste or splurge.” Afterwards, he voluntarily conducted a thorough self-examination and wrote a letter of self-criticism to the Party Central Committee.
No one is perfect; even the wisest among us can make mistakes. Yet, whether one feels remorse and self-reproach for work-related errors, proactively reflects on them, and promptly corrects their mistakes—this very attitude reflects the level of a Party member’s ideological and moral cultivation. Comrade Dong Biwu’s willingness to take the initiative to reflect on and assume responsibility for a mere 6-fen issue vividly demonstrates his high degree of Party principles and his rigorous self-discipline. The positions held by leading cadres are imbued with the trust of the organization and the expectations of the masses. Should any work-related blunders occur, it is imperative that we adopt a spirit of “self-reproach” to achieve “self-reflection,” and through “self-reflection,” strive for “self-improvement,” ensuring that problems are genuinely addressed and rectified.
The dangerous factors in our thinking often lie dormant, quietly taking root and growing unnoticed if we’re not careful. President Xi has repeatedly emphasized the importance of self-examination and self-criticism, pointing out that “Party criticism must always take place within a specific context, whereas ‘I examine myself three times a day’—self-criticism is something that accompanies us personally, serving as the most timely and effective ideological weapon.” Those who know themselves well are wise; those who conquer themselves are strong. Party members and cadres who are determined to cultivate the habit of self-reflection and self-motivation, constantly examining and adjusting themselves over time, can continually nurture their original aspirations, shoulder their missions with resolve, and forever preserve the political integrity of communists, ensuring they remain invincible in the face of any storm or test.
Source | People's Daily Online, Official Website for Party History Study and Education
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Tongfang Academy Micro-Party Class, Issue 364: To Strengthen Work Style, We Must Return to Simplicity and Cultivate the Foundation.
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Tongfang Academy Micro-Party Class, Issue 362: Igniting Skill Dreams on the Snowy Plateau
