Skillfully Using Fine Traditional Chinese Culture to Cultivate the Virtue of Governance

The Chinese nation has since ancient times been a nation that esteems virtue and inclines toward goodness. The virtue of governance is the weather vane for the moral construction of the entire society. Only by cultivating their own virtue through morality can those in governance establish authority through virtue and win over the multitude through virtue. General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized that leading cadres must speak of the virtue of governance, paying attention to "using fine traditional culture to rectify the mind and illuminate virtue." Deeply excavating the essence of the virtue of governance in fine traditional Chinese culture, grasping the contemporary value of traditional wisdom such as "governing by virtue" and "the people are the foundation of the state," holds important practical value and contemporary significance for establishing and practicing a correct outlook on political performance, cultivating the virtue of governance in leading cadres, and raising the level of modernization of national governance.

中华民族自古以来就是一个崇德向善的民族。政德是整个社会道德建设的风向标。为政者只有以德修身，才能以德立威、以德服众。习近平总书记强调领导干部要讲政德，注重“用优秀传统文化正心明德”。深入挖掘中华优秀传统文化中的政德精髓，把握“为政以德”“民为邦本”等传统智慧的时代价值，对于树立和践行正确政绩观，涵养领导干部的为政之德，提升国家治理现代化水平，具有重要的实践价值和现实意义。

First, fine traditional Chinese culture contains a rich virtue of governance.

第一，中华优秀传统文化蕴含丰富的为政之德。

Fine traditional Chinese culture, after thousands of years of accumulation and transmission, has formed many ideological essences concerning the virtue of governance, providing abundant nourishment for cultivating the virtue of governance in the New Era. These ideological essences transcend time and space, remaining ever fresh through the ages, and are highly compatible and intrinsically connected with the requirements advocated by our Party, such as loyalty and serving the people, being pragmatic and clean, and being fair and upright.

中华优秀传统文化历经数千年积淀与传承，形成了诸多关于政德的思想精华，为新时代涵养为政之德提供了丰厚的养料。这些思想精华跨越时空、历久弥新，与我们党倡导的忠诚为民、务实清廉、公道正派等要求高度契合、内在相通。

It contains the virtue of governance for national governance. Fine traditional Chinese culture has always advocated that those in governance should bear the world in mind and prioritize the state. Confucius said, "He who governs by virtue is like the North Star, which remains in its place while all the other stars revolve around it," emphasizing that rule by virtue can unite people's hearts and stabilize all directions. The *Guanzi* advocates "governing the country by law" and "making instruction and training into custom," achieving a governance realm where virtue and law complement each other and moral education wins people's hearts. This value orientation, which prioritizes national interests and takes long-term stability as essential, requires those in governance to understand great virtue, taking the safety of the state and the prosperity of the nation as their responsibility. For the present, leading cadres must all the more temper their political character, demonstrate their vision and sense of responsibility in practice, forever maintain the true nature of public servants of the people, and strive for the great cause of building a strong country and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

蕴含国家治理的政德。中华优秀传统文化历来倡导为政者当心怀天下、以国为重。孔子有言，“为政以德，譬如北辰，居其所而众星共之”，强调德治能凝聚人心、安定四方。《管子》主张“以法治国”和“教训成俗”，达到德法相济、教化人心的治理境界。这种以国家利益为先、以长治久安为要的价值取向，要求为政者明大德，以社稷安危、国家兴盛为己任。对于当下而言，领导干部更要淬炼政治品格，在实践中展现格局和担当，永葆人民公仆本色，为强国建设、民族复兴伟业而奋斗。

It contains the virtue of governance for benefiting the people. "The rise of governance lies in following the people's will; the fall of governance lies in opposing the people's will." Traditional virtue of governance is threaded through with the value mainline of people-centeredness. From the compassionate sentiment of "being the first to worry about the world's troubles and the last to enjoy its pleasures," to the concern for people's livelihood expressed in "these petty county officials of ours, every twig and every leaf is always connected to our feelings," to the governing maxim of "for matters that benefit the people, even a hair's breadth must be promoted," all profoundly reveal that the people's will is the greatest politics and benefiting the people is the greatest political achievement. This enlightens us that we must always place the people in the highest position in our hearts, take improving people's well-being as our goal, earnestly practice the fundamental purpose of serving the people wholeheartedly, and deeply understand the scientific connotation of the virtue of governance in the New Era.

蕴含为民造福的政德。“政之所兴在顺民心，政之所废在逆民心”，传统政德贯穿着以民为本的价值主线。从“先天下之忧而忧，后天下之乐而乐”的济世情怀，到“些小吾曹州县吏，一枝一叶总关情”的民生关切，再到“利民之事，丝发必兴”的施政箴规，无不深刻昭示着民心是最大的政治、为民造福是最大的政绩，启示我们必须始终把人民放在心中最高位置，以增进民生福祉为目标，切实践行全心全意为人民服务的根本宗旨，深刻领会新时代为政之德的科学内涵。

It contains the virtue of governance for self-cultivation and self-correction. Fine traditional Chinese culture places great emphasis on self-cultivation and establishing virtue, stressing that "from the Son of Heaven down to the common people, all must take self-cultivation as the root." The Confucian thought of "cultivating oneself, regulating the family, governing the state, and bringing peace to all under Heaven" requires those in governance to start from "rectifying the mind and making the will sincere," achieving caution when alone and in small matters, and maintaining incorruptibility and self-discipline. Confucius's famous saying, "If the ruler himself is upright, all will act without being ordered," also shows that the moral cultivation of those in governance directly affects whether the people support or oppose them and the effectiveness of governance. These concepts of self-cultivation, transmitted for thousands of years, provide rich cultural resources for leading cadres in the New Era to strengthen their moral cultivation.

蕴含修身正己的政德。中华优秀传统文化十分重视修身立德，强调“自天子以至于庶人，壹是皆以修身为本”。儒家“修齐治平”思想要求为政者从“正心诚意”做起，做到慎独慎微、清廉自守。孔子“其身正，不令而行”的名言，也说明为政者的品德修养直接关系人心向背与施政效果。这些传承千年的修身理念，为新时代领导干部加强道德修养提供了丰富的文化资源。

Second, the virtue of governance in fine traditional Chinese culture has realistic vitality.

第二，中华优秀传统文化中的政德具有现实生命力。

The cultural lineage continues for millennia, the torch is passed down without cease. The virtue of governance contained in fine traditional Chinese culture accumulates the power of truth and practical force that transcends time and space, and is an indispensable precious asset for advancing the construction of a strong country and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in the New Era.

文脉赓续千年，薪火相传不息。中华优秀传统文化中蕴含的为政之德，积淀着跨越时空的真理力量与实践伟力，是新时代推进强国建设、民族复兴不可或缺的宝贵财富。

It consolidates the cultural foundation of nourishing people's hearts with virtue for national development. Fine traditional Chinese culture regards moral education as an important support for uniting people's hearts and gathering people's strength. Its governance logic of "governing by virtue" is in the same vein as the humanistic pursuit of "virtue nourishing all things," laying a solid ethical foundation for the long-term stability of the country. In the contemporary era, concepts such as loyalty, responsibility, incorruptibility, and serving the people in fine traditional Chinese culture, through creative transformation and innovative development, have deeply integrated with the core socialist values. It not only nourishes the political character of leading cadres but also strengthens the people's sense of family and country, ensuring that national development is always rooted in fertile moral and cultural soil.

为国家发展筑牢德润人心的文化根基。中华优秀传统文化将道德教化视为凝聚民心、汇聚民力的重要支撑，其“为政以德”的治理逻辑与“德润万物”的人文追求一脉相承，为国家长治久安奠定了坚实的伦理基础。在当代，中华优秀传统文化中的忠诚、担当、清廉、为民等理念，经由创造性转化与创新性发展，已同社会主义核心价值观深度融通。它不仅滋养了领导干部的政治品格，也增强了人民群众的家国情怀，使国家发展始终扎根于丰沃的道德文化土壤之中。

It injects the moral force of esteeming virtue and inclining toward goodness into social stability. Fine traditional Chinese culture advocates value concepts such as governing by virtue, cultivating oneself and regulating the family, requiring the practice of honesty and trustworthiness, benevolence and filial piety, modesty and courtesy. These concepts have shaped the Chinese nation's social character of valuing virtue and upholding righteousness, and through life-oriented forms such as village covenants and family precepts, have integrated moral norms into daily life, transforming them into norms commonly followed by society. In the course of historical development, they have continuously accumulated into the profound and stable cultural genes of the Chinese nation. They not only guide people's social behavior but also provide inherent moral constraints for the modernization of social governance, continuously promoting the formation of a good social atmosphere.

为社会稳定注入崇德向善的道德力量。中华优秀传统文化倡导为政以德、修身齐家等价值理念，要求力行诚实守信、仁爱孝悌、谦和礼让。这些理念塑造了中华民族重德尚义的社会品格，又通过乡约、家训等生活化的形式，将道德规范融入日常生活，转化为社会共同遵循的准则，在历史发展中不断积淀为中华民族深刻而稳定的文化基因。既引导人们的社会行为，也为社会治理现代化提供了内在的道德约束，持续推动良好社会风气的形成。

It provides value guidance for rectifying the mind and acting with determination in the self-cultivation of cadres. Fine traditional Chinese culture advocates "cultivating oneself with reverence," "cultivating oneself to bring peace to others," and "cultivating oneself to bring peace to the people," requiring those in governance to rectify their own conduct and character, adhering to the principles of fairness, diligence in governance, and love for the people. These concepts closely link personal moral cultivation with the responsibility of national governance, making moral cultivation no longer an empty sermon but a guide for action throughout the entire process of performing duties. This enlightens our vast numbers of Party members and cadres that in personal morality, they should be cautious when alone and introspect, be strict with themselves; in work, they should be fair and upright, diligent and pragmatic, winning the trust and support of the masses with noble conduct.

为干部修身提供正心笃行的价值引领。中华优秀传统文化主张“修己以敬”“修己以安人”“修己以安百姓”，要求为政者必须端正自身品行，坚守公正、勤政、爱民的行事准则。这些理念把个人品德修养和国家治理的责任紧密联系，使道德修养不再是空洞说教，而是贯穿履职全过程的行动遵循。这启示我们广大党员干部，在个人品德上要慎独自省、严于律己，在工作中要公道正派、勤勉务实，以高尚品行赢得群众的信任与拥护。

Third, adhere to upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground to continuously cultivate the virtue of governance.

第三，坚持守正创新不断涵养为政之德。

Party members and cadres must consciously draw wisdom of the virtue of governance and spiritual nourishment from fine traditional Chinese culture, adhere to making the past serve the present, uphold fundamental principles and break new ground, continuously cultivate the virtue of governance, enhance their ability to perform duties, and shoulder the mission of the times.

党员干部要自觉从中华优秀传统文化中汲取政德智慧和精神滋养，坚持古为今用、守正创新，不断涵养为政之德，提升履职本领，担当时代使命。

Value the people-centered principle, and hold fast to the original aspiration and founding mission of benefiting the people. Family matters, state affairs, and affairs of all under Heaven — letting the people live a happy life is the top priority. Leading cadres must remember the millennia-old maxim that "the people are the foundation of the state; when the foundation is solid, the state is tranquil," always firmly stand on the side of the people, keep the safety and well-being of the people in their hearts, and take the satisfaction of the masses as the fundamental criterion for measuring work effectiveness. Adhere to going deep into the grassroots and the masses, regularly conduct investigation and research, listen to the demands of the masses face-to-face, understand the wishes of the masses heart-to-heart, and respond to the expectations of the masses with concrete actions. Devote heart, sentiment, and effort to solving the troublesome and distressing issues of the masses, win the people's hearts with outstanding achievements, and forever maintain the flesh-and-blood ties with the masses.

重民本，坚守为民造福的初心使命。家事国事天下事，让人民过上幸福生活是头等大事。领导干部要牢记“民为邦本，本固邦宁”的千年古训，始终站稳人民立场，把人民群众的安危冷暖放在心上，把群众满意度作为衡量工作成效的根本标准。坚持深入基层、深入群众，常态化开展调查研究，面对面倾听群众诉求、心贴心了解群众意愿、实打实回应群众期盼，用心用情用力解决群众烦心事、揪心事，以过硬实绩赢得民心，永葆同人民群众的血肉联系。

Esteem practical work, and uphold the work style of seeking truth from facts. "Though the path is near, it cannot be reached without walking; though the matter is small, it cannot be accomplished without doing." Party members and cadres must establish themselves and accomplish things with the practical spirit of "what you get on paper is ultimately shallow; you must earnestly practice it to know it deeply," not engaging in flashy gestures or superficial work, and resolutely opposing formalism and bureaucracy. Adhere to proceeding from reality in everything, ensuring that decisions follow objective laws and fit the actual conditions at the grassroots level. Speak the truth, plan practical matters, take concrete measures, and seek actual results. Focus one's mind on undertaking and starting enterprises, and put one's energy into grasping implementation, creating achievements that stand the test of practice, the people, and history.

尚实干，秉持求真务实的工作作风。“道虽迩，不行不至；事虽小，不为不成。”党员干部要以“纸上得来终觉浅，绝知此事要躬行”的实干精神立身成事，不搞花架子、不做表面文章，力戒形式主义、官僚主义。坚持一切从实际出发，确保决策遵循客观规律、贴合基层实情。做到说实话、谋实事、出实招、求实效，把心思用在干事创业上、把精力放在狠抓落实上，创造经得起实践、人民和历史检验的实绩。

Hold to public-mindedness, and abide by the disciplinary bottom line of exercising power impartially. "When the great Way prevails, all under Heaven is public." In ancient times, there was Bao Zheng, who was impartial and incorruptible, and Yu Qian, who was pure and self-disciplined; in modern times, there is Jiao Yulu, who devoted himself utterly to the people, and Yang Shanzhou, who selflessly dedicated himself. All are remembered and revered by the people because they cherished public justice and were upright and selfless. Leading cadres must take these worthies and models as mirrors, remember that "power is entrusted by the people and used for the people," achieving a clear distinction between public and private, handling affairs fairly, and exercising power impartially. In performing their duties, adhere to principles and bottom lines, do not show favoritism or seek personal gain, strictly act in accordance with regulations, discipline, and law, gather the people's hearts with public-mindedness, establish public trust with incorruptibility, and forever maintain the political nature of Communists.

持公心，恪守秉公用权的纪律底线。“大道之行也，天下为公。”古有包拯铁面无私、于谦清白自守，今有焦裕禄鞠躬尽瘁、杨善洲无私奉献，皆因心怀公义、清正无私而被百姓铭记敬仰。领导干部要以先贤楷模为镜，牢记“权为民所赋，权为民所用”，做到公私分明、公道处事、公正用权。在履职尽责中坚守原则底线，不徇私情、不谋私利，严格依规依纪依法办事，以公心聚民心、以清廉立公信，永葆共产党人政治本色。

Plan for the long term, and maintain the historical patience of persevering over time. As the ancient saying goes, "One who does not plan for ten thousand years is not enough to plan for a single moment; one who does not plan for the whole situation is not enough to plan for a single area." Leading cadres must consciously inherit the strategic thinking in fine traditional Chinese culture, with the historical responsibility of "success need not be in my tenure, but success must have my contribution," do more practical things that lay foundations, benefit the long term, and improve people's livelihoods, resolutely refrain from short-term behaviors that drain the pond to catch the fish, and avoid flashy image projects. In the face of long-term and foundational work, uphold the belief of continuous struggle and doing well and achieving success, adhere to drawing the blueprint to the end and carrying on the work one term after another, writing an excellent answer worthy of the times and the people with practical work and actual achievements.

谋长远，保持久久为功的历史耐心。古语有云：“不谋万世者，不足谋一时；不谋全局者，不足谋一域。”领导干部要自觉传承中华优秀传统文化中的战略思维，以“功成不必在我、功成必定有我”的历史担当，多做打基础、利长远、惠民生的实事，坚决不搞竭泽而渔的短期行为、不做华而不实的形象工程。面对长期性、基础性工作，秉持接续奋斗、善作善成的信念，坚持一张蓝图绘到底、一茬接着一茬干，以实干实绩书写无愧于时代和人民的优异答卷。

(The author is a researcher at the Hunan University base of the Hunan Provincial Contemporary Chinese Marxism Research Center)

（作者系湖南省当代中国马克思主义研究中心湖南大学基地研究员）