Examining oneself three times a day
This is a saying from The Analects of Confucius. It encourages people to repeatedly reflect on their own conduct every day in order to identify their shortcomings and fix their errors. This is an approach to moral examination advocated by the Confucian school, which believed that the effort one invests will determine one's moral attainment, so one ought to consistently review one's words, deeds and inner world in order to improve one's morality.
Speaking at the meeting, held by the CPC Central Committee in June 2013, to launch the Program of Mass Line Education and Practice, Xi Jinping talked about the general requirements to "examine oneself in the mirror, straighten one's clothes and hat, take a bath, and treat one's disease." He said: To "straighten one's clothes and hat" means that one should, after examining oneself in the mirror and based on the principles of serving the people, being down-to-earth in one's work and upholding integrity, dare to face one's weaknesses and shortcomings, strictly observe the Party's discipline, especially its political discipline, start with themselves in facing up to problems, and take immediate steps to rectify their conduct. They should take the initiative to renew their faith in the Party character, review their obligations as Party members, and strengthen their resolve to observe Party discipline and state laws, so as to present a positive image as good Communists. It is not enough to "straighten one's clothes and hat" only once, they need to "examine themselves three times a day."
吾日三省吾身
“吾日三省吾身”出自《论语》，意指每天多次反省自己、检视自己，发现自身缺点，弥补自身不足。“吾日三省吾身”是儒家所主张的一种道德方法，认为德行的确立取决于自身的努力和追求，因此需要时时反省自己的言行与内心，并以此作为修养道德的基本方法。
2013年6月，习近平在党的群众路线教育实践活动工作会议上谈及“照镜子、正衣冠、洗洗澡、治治病”的总要求时，指出正衣冠，主要是在照镜子的基础上，按照为民务实清廉的要求，勇于正视缺点和不足，严明党的纪律特别是政治纪律，敢于触及思想、正视矛盾和问题，从自己做起，从现在改起，端正行为，自觉把党性修养正一正、把党员义务理一理、把党纪国法紧一紧，保持共产党人良好形象。正衣冠往往一天一次不够，需要“吾日三省吾身”。
