Every official must bear the following in mind: "Don't be too greedy with your grasp; those who stretch too far will be caught."

-- Speech given by Xi Jinping at the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, January 14, 2014

Don't Be Too Greedy with Your Grasp;

Those Who Stretch Too Far Will Be Caught

-Keeping up high pressure on corruption

In March 1954, Marshal Chen Yi composed a suite of poems entitled Inspired Thoughts. The fourth poem of the suite, "Seven-Character Verse, Don't Steal," contains the powerful maxim: "Don't be too greedy with your grasp; those who stretch too far will be caught." While issuing a stern warning to those harboring evil intentions, Chen Yi also displays his selfless spirit and earnest willingness to write a prescription for those who are "ill." The easily understood and smoothly flowing language of this poem brings insight as well as a warning, and it can teach and benefit both ordinary people and leading officials upon first reading. In quoting lines from Chen Yi's poem, Xi Jinping intended to warn and urge leading officials, telling them that they must have "zero tolerance" for graft and corruption for both themselves and for others.

The ancient Chinese forewarned, "Those who do not eliminate their greedy hearts will be like moths flying toward the flames, never stopping until their bodies have burned away." There is a deep philosophy of life behind these plain, yet profound words, as they vividly reveal to us the danger of avarice and importance of establishing correct life outlooks and values. As the ancients said, "Appetite and lust are human nature." Everyone has their own material desires, and there is nothing wrong with pursuing legitimate personal interests. But "if a gentleman is fond of wealth, he obtains it through the proper way." Interests must be reasonably and legally obtained through honest hard work and not by harming the interests of others, society, or the nation.

There should be even greater demands on our leading officials, as they hold the power bestowed upon them by the people, and the question arises: whom they are wielding power for? If the people trust you and hand the power over to you, they demand that you - with a hold on power -- do a solid job in your position. Those in power should do real deeds and seek to benefit the people rather than using power as their own tool for amassing wealth. Throughout history, the people have detested corrupt officials, and this problem has also been a great threat to the nation. Leading officials must keep a clear head, and no matter who they are, how great their office, or how powerful their position, everyone who touches the high-voltage line of corruption will face harsh punishment under Party discipline and national laws and make a disgraceful exit. There should be no illusion that one can get away with corruption, and the only way to keep corruption from being exposed is not to commit it in the first place.

There are too many harsh lessons from real life corruption cases. Some people are quite cautious in their normal lives, but lose their way as soon as they are given more power, and cannot resist the temptation. The lessons are bitter, the costs are high, and there is no turning back once you start down that path. So everyone in power must always keep a barrier around them to prevent corruption and degradation.

"Don't be too greedy with your grasp; those who stretch too far will be caught." This reflects the resolve of the Party central authorities to make corruption unthinkable for officials. It is also a warning and ultimatum: a warning to those who think they will somehow get away with their schemes and harbor base intentions, and an ultimatum to those faced with temptation who get the itch to stick out their hand when the first sprouts of greed start to grow in their minds. Always be aware of the dangers of avarice and always keep yourself in check. To control one's own desires, individuals must not only bolster their own moral fiber, society must also uphold correctness and encourage an upright, orderly social atmosphere.

(An excerpt from XI JINPING: WIT AND VISION -- SELECTED QUOTATIONS AND COMMENTARY, published by FOREIGN LANGUAGES PRESS in 2015)