Be Thrifty and Exercise Self-Restraint

Be Thrifty and Exercise Self-Restraint

This idea originated in Su Shu: "Be courteous and thrifty and exercise self-restraint." Thrift is a traditional virtue of the Chinese nation. Guided by the philosophy of harmony between humanity and nature, the Chinese believe that humans should refrain from excessive exploitation of natural resources, or nature will retaliate. Thriftiness and self-restraint can also directly influence the rise or fall of a family and even a nation. As Li Shangyin, a renowned poet from the Tang Dynasty (618-907), once wrote, "History tells us that diligence and thrift lead to success, while luxury and extravagance lead to failure." In terms of the cultivation of moral integrity, Zuo's Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals considers thrift a common trait shared by men of virtue and extravagance the biggest evil of all. According to The Book of Changes, "A gentleman avoids calamities by virtue of thrift."

In recent decades, advancement of technology has led to great material abundance. But humans now face resource depletion and environmental degradation. Driven by consumerism, people seek to satisfy their material desires, while neglecting growth and enrichment of the inner world. The idea of being thrifty and exercising self-restraint reflects the wisdom of the Chinese in understanding and handling the relationship between thriftiness and extravagance. Now, this idea is embodied in many Chinese policies such as the Empty Plate Campaign and the government's continuous efforts to conserve resources and fight corruption.

俭约自守

俭约自守出自《素书》，原文是“恭俭谦约，所以自守”。意为做人要以勤俭节约来要求自己，这是中华民族的一项传统美德。基于天人合一的理念，中国人认为人类对自然的利用应该有所节制，不能滥用和浪费自然资源，否则会受到自然界的惩罚。俭约自守还关系到国家兴衰和家庭聚散。正如唐代著名诗人李商隐所说：“历览前贤国与家，成由勤俭败由奢。”在个人良好品德的养成方面，《左传》指出，节俭是有德之人共同的品质，而奢侈是恶行中的大恶。《周易》认为，君子能够通过节俭的美德避免灾难。

当今时代，科技的发展使得物质产品极度丰富，但人类不得不面临资源枯竭和环境恶化等问题；消费中心主义使人们追逐物欲的满足，但忽略了自身精神生命的成长和丰富。俭约自守体现了中国人认识和处理勤俭与奢华、集约与浪费之间关系的思想智慧。中国倡导“光盘行动”、全面加强资源节约工作、持之以恒正风肃纪反腐等，就是遵循俭约自守理念的具体实践。