On Criticism

One of the hardest things in life to accept for many us is criticism. If criticisms are correct we should receive them honestly, and to improve ourselves by avoiding the faults pointed out to us.

However, the people who criticise must also be honest in their approach. They should always criticise the people at fault before them. As a great living philosopher said, 'It is very bad to whisper behind people's backs and not to speak out to their faces. We should have a general agreement — at least in principle. We should be able to speak either more sharply or more tactfully, but we must speak out. Sometimes we must be clear and sharp. But in any case, if we take our desire for unity as our starting point and adopt a helpful attitude, then sharp criticism cannot split the Party; it can only unite the Party. It is very dangerous to leave unsaid things which you want to say. Of course we must choose our time to speak, and it does not do to ignore strategy...... Those who are afraid to speak out are afraid to speak out are afraid of being called opportunists, afraid of getting the sack, afraid of being expelled from the Party, afraid of being divorced by their wives ... afraid of being confined to the guardroom, afraid of having their heads chopped off. I feel that as long as you are prepared for these eventualities and are able to see through the vanities of this world, you need be afraid of nothing. If you make no psychological preparation, you will not dare to speak... My purpose is to get people to dare to speak out with vigour and invincible force ... freeing themselves from inhibitions.'

Well, that is an honest man speaking out and we would all do well to follow his advise. Before I conclude, I would like to add afurther point; Criticisms should be directed at the person concerned in private if it does not concern others. But if his acts and thoughts affect others around him, his faults ought to be made public. In any case, the individual should always be consulted first in the hope that he will change before then. I also hope all so-called progressive people will read the above quotation and ask themselves in one specific aspect, are we right in shouldering a certain group of people with responsibilities which we have no courage to do ... in public'. This question has been asked in private to no avail, and it is now put in put in public. I am sorry this argument does not concern many readers.