Yesterday, I read an inscription erected by the grandfather of my hometown county. The words on it were really beautiful, but how many people today would believe the words "purify oneself and love the people" mentioned in the inscription?
We are always talking about the so-called great principles, such as "self-denial and devotion to public service" and "cultivating oneself and being cautious about independence". We hear it so much that our ears almost get calluses. However, once the benefits are actually put in front of you, these words seem particularly frivolous, as if they have turned into a complete joke.
It’s not that tradition is bad, it’s that we offer it too high a price.
I really want to tear my ancestors’ things off the wall
I often think about the logic of the concept of "cultivating oneself, harmonizing one's family, governing the country, and bringing peace to the world" advocated by Confucianism. However, the problem is that today's integrity education often only retains the aspect of "cultivation", and this so-called "cultivation" is also extremely hypocritical.
Once at home or at work, someone talks about benevolence, justice and morality. However, as soon as he turns around and enters the wine shop and the Vanity Fair, the strings are easily relaxed at that moment.
Why? Because there are only moral reminders, and there is no fear engraved in the bones.
In the past, when officials took up their new posts, the first thing they did was to go to the City God's Temple and swear an oath. Does it sound superstitious? However, this is a sense of ritual and a feeling of awe for transcendent power. What we are missing now is precisely such a sense of ritual and the subtle influence of daily life.
What is a "gene"? Not memorizing ancient prose
In the Jining area of Shandong Province, someone did something interesting. They engraved Mencius's words "You can take it, you can take it without it, but taking it hurts integrity" directly on the stones in the community, and next to it was an aunt who was dancing in the square.
Let’s talk about the intangible cultural heritage paper-cutting. You cut off the excess red paper, and the old master muttered beside you: "Being a human is like paper-cutting. You must have a ruler in your heart and a sense of proportion in your hands. Even the slightest bit of excess is greed."
This is called coming alive.
If the concept of integrity only exists in documents or posters in conference rooms, then it is lifeless. Only when it turns into a family motto repeated by grandma, or into a deafening roar from Bao Zheng's black face on the stage, can it really penetrate deeply into people's hearts.
What I fear most is “performance”
At present, some of our units are carrying out anti-corruption cultural activities and have invested a lot of money in building venues and filming videos. However, those who came to visit only briefly browsed, took photos and punched time cards, and then believed that the political mission had been achieved.
There is such a word that expresses it quite well, called "suspension". Culture is in a state of being suspended in mid-air and cannot take root. The traditional concept of upholding integrity and wisdom focuses on "being cautious about being alone", that is, when you are alone at home and have trouble falling asleep at night, ask yourself, do you dare to think about what you have experienced today?
What does this rely on? Relying on the system, but also relying on a deep-seated sense of shame.
The coldness of the system needs the warmth of culture to neutralize it
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that systems are useless. Quite the opposite is true. In ancient times, there were "six integrity" standards, which included integrity, integrity, integrity, respect, integrity, integrity, and integrity. This was the earliest KPI assessment.
But the system is the skeleton and culture is the flesh and blood.
If a cadre grew up listening to the story of the "Prefect with a Penny" and watching the play about upright officials on the stage in his hometown, then the moment he reached for the money, what echoed in his ears was not the legal provisions, but the sound of gongs in the play when he was a child.
This kind of physiological disgust and fear is the strongest line of defense.
For those who want to "cut corners"
As of this writing, it is actually a bit confusing. I also don't know how to make everyone become honest officials. However, I understand that relying solely on preaching will not work.
The most powerful thing in traditional culture is not the big words, but the fireworks.
For example, "Every grain of grain is related to my reputation; every grain of breadth is related to my reputation; every grain of breadth means that the people will receive more than one gift." This statement is so real, linking the name and integrity with specific interests.
If this kind of spirit is transformed into our daily life in the workplace and in life, it would be like people engaged in business operations using less low-quality materials, and people in official positions spending more words to communicate with ordinary people. This is integrity.
Don't always be obsessed with trying to dig out some magical panacea from traditional culture, hoping that through it, all corrupt officials will be completely eliminated in one step.
It must have been dug out and is a mirror. It allows everyone to take a photo of themselves occasionally while walking. Look at the powder on your face to see if it is too thick.
last sentence
I have read some reports about Mencius' thoughts on integrity in Zoucheng, and one detail was mentioned. The commentator pointed out to the "Official Admonition Monument" that the ancients also had fear, and they were afraid of being criticized behind their backs after death.
We are so lacking in this kind of fear now.
If you are not afraid of people scolding you, not afraid of divine punishment, and are not afraid of anything else, then you dare to do anything.
This makes the "fear" in the tradition and the persistence of innocence flow into our blood vessels again.
It's not for the competition, nor is it to look good, it's just that I want to be more at ease when sleeping.
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