Also known as "knowing progress" (Jin Tai's essay), also known as "knowing stopping" cadres | landing | essay
Ordinary daily necessities, gift packaging bags that are reluctant to throw away, and floor lamp lampshades made from old curtains... Walking into Comrade Song Qingling's former residence, simple and plain original display items come into view, attracting visitors to stop and watch. Comrade Song Qingling's noble character of diligence, thrift, self-restraint, and service to the public is admirable.
As the ancients said, "Do not be blinded by personal desires.". A decent job, broad prospects, a beautiful life... In life, there are always various desires. Moderate desire drives one to strive, but excessive desire can cause one to suffer greatly. Whether a person can control their desires, have more composure in the face of temptation, be more indifferent to material fame and fortune, and eliminate the desire for injustice tests their character and demonstrates their realm. In the Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall in Shaoxing, Zhejiang, there is a pair of couplets hanging: "When things are satisfied, the heart is always peaceful, and when people arrive, they strive for excellence.". This family motto deeply influenced Zhou Enlai and also reminded people of the noble style and value pursuit of integrity and self-discipline of a generation of great figures. In fact, "no pursuit" is not about being content with the status quo and not striving for progress, but rather guarding against the uncontrollable expansion of personal desires and warning people to break free from the shackles of fame and fortune in their hearts. This has important implications for the integrity and self-cultivation of party members and cadres.
Misfortune is greater than dissatisfaction, and blame is greater than desire. Three thousand weak waters, take and drink a spoonful; A thousand spacious buildings, sleeping six feet at night; A vast expanse of fertile land, three meals a day. Human material needs are always limited. The mentality of greed and insatiability is most likely to lead to negative consequences, even if one already has something but is not satisfied and knows it's too hot to reach out. For party members and cadres, without the wisdom of "contentment" and the realm of "knowledge and restraint", it is extremely easy to lose balance and lose one's mind. The important reason why some people choose not to return is dissatisfaction. As the saying goes, "Those who have unlimited desires have unlimited hearts; those who have unlimited hearts have unknown actions.".
Honesty is the foundation of one's character, and political integrity comes first. Being honest and upright is essential for entering politics and serving as an official. For party members and cadres, it is necessary to distinguish the boundary between reasonable desires and unreasonable greed. In history, Gongyi Xiu rejected fish to cultivate integrity, Yang Zhen Shen refused gold alone, Bao Zheng "refused etiquette to open a clean and honest style", and Yu Qian "the clear breeze with two sleeves facing the sky" were all praised by people. Today, party members and cadres must also strictly restrain their own conduct and behavior, always abstain from corruption and restrain desires, be self disciplined and serve the public, and always maintain the character of "not touching one's heart with money and bribery". They must not be trapped by desires, influenced by desires, and ultimately harmed by desires.
To stay away from the shackles of desire, the key is to maintain one's original intention and cultivate a mentality of indifference to fame and fortune. The excellent traditional Chinese culture is broad and profound, which contains the ideological essence and moral essence of self-cultivation, and is very beneficial to establish a correct world outlook, outlook on life, and values. Party members and cadres can draw nourishment from these excellent traditional cultures, cultivate their sentiments, cultivate a healthy lifestyle, and maintain noble spiritual pursuits. We should regularly compare the Party's theory, line, principles, and policies, the Party Constitution, Party rules, and Party discipline, as well as our original aspirations and missions. We should have a clear and upright mind, cherish virtue and self-respect, diligently dust off the dust of our thoughts, think more about the harm caused by greed, and constantly break through the "thieves in our hearts". We should not think recklessly inside to ensure that there is no reckless action outside.
The Self Encouragement Couplet, written by Xie Zixiu, the grandfather of writer Bing Xin, states that "one should be content with one's shortcomings, and one should do what one has done.". Party members and cadres should also grasp this methodology when cultivating their moral character. To understand "contentment" in material treatment, cultivate a frugal and simple style, to "know shortcomings" in party spirit cultivation, and enhance the sense of urgency in self-discipline and self-cultivation; When it comes to matters that are beneficial to the Party and the people, one should not seek refuge or shirk responsibility. When it comes to matters that involve personal reputation, status, and interests, one should take them lightly and let them go. Only by "knowing cessation" before desires and "knowing progress" in work can one hone a strong work style, maintain integrity, and have a noble and fulfilling life in the struggle for the people.
