Ho Chi Minh's "Revolutionary Morals"

During the 11 years of living and working at Nha San (1958 - 1969), as President of the Party and State, President Ho Chi Minh wrote many works of theoretical and practical value, with important ideas. ideas bearing the stamp of the times, covering many fields, focusing on the main tasks of the Vietnamese revolution. Among the outstanding works written by President Ho Chi Minh at Nha stilts is the work "Revolutionary morality" signed under the pseudonym Tran Luc, published in Hoc Magazine, No. 12, 1958. This is a valuable work in many aspects, both in theory and in practice, showing President Ho Chi Minh's interest in training revolutionary ethics for the Party's cadres and party members, so that the Party is always clean and strong worthy of being the vanguard of the class and the nation.

Training character, revolutionary morality according to Ho Chi Minh Thought

In the spirit of the 1954 Geneva Agreement, the North of our country was completely liberated, and in the South - the struggle for liberation continued. More than ever, the struggle to liberate the South and reunify the country requires the utmost efforts of the cadres and party members. However, during the years the North restored the economy, culture, and society, healed the wounds of war, initially renovated, and built a material basis for socialism, the peacetime mood, expression of Moral deterioration and individualism among cadres and party members does not stop at a single phenomenon, but becomes a disease and a danger of a ruling Party. Aware of the complex difficulties of the immediate journey, in December 1958, President Ho Chi Minh wrote the work "Revolutionary morality". The work focuses on analyzing three issues: The role of revolutionary morality and the enemy of revolutionary morality; Basic contents and standards of revolutionary ethics; Cultivate and practice revolutionary morality, and fight to eliminate individualism. Although the book is thin, with less than 20 pages, its content is rich, its writing is concise, its style is simple and easy to understand, and it contains great ideas about new ethics - revolutionary ethics.

1. The role of revolutionary morality and the enemy of revolutionary morality

At the beginning of the work, President Ho Chi Minh said that human history must "rely on the force of the majority, that is, of the collective, of society" (1) for survival. If everyone is alone, it is certain that nature cannot be defeated, cannot exist, and cannot be produced. Entering the revolutionary era, “everything must rely more on the collective and social forces; The more individuals cannot stand alone, the more they must integrate themselves in the collective and in society” (2). That is why "individualism is the opposite of collectivism"(3), inevitably "collectivism, socialism is bound to win, individualism must be destroyed"(4). He recalled the history and meaning of our people's struggle. In the struggle for self-liberation and to transform the bad old society into a good new one, leadership belongs to the working class "the most advanced, most enlightened, most determined, most disciplined and most organized class"(5) and "the proletariat is the staff of the class" working class” is “indisputable” (6). On these grounds, President Ho Chi Minh affirmed that making a revolution to transform the old society into a new one is "a very glorious cause"(7) but also a "very heavy task"( 8), is “an overly complicated, long, and arduous struggle” (9) requiring “strength to carry the burden and go far” (10) and “revolutionaries must have revolutionary morality”. network as the foundation, only the task can be completed” (11).

The opposite of revolutionary morality is individualism. The remaining individualism in me, even if it is only a little, will wait for an opportunity to develop, to obscure revolutionary morality, to hinder the struggle for the revolutionary cause. President Ho Chi Minh analyzed the harmful effects of individualism, which is a very "deceitful, crafty, clever thing to coax people to go downhill"(12). If we want to fight against individualism, wash away the bad vestiges of the old society, and if we want to practice revolutionary morality, we must make every effort to study, cultivate, and self-improve in order to progress forever. According to President Ho Chi Minh, the practice of revolutionary morality is not only limited to the simple understanding of studying at school, but the practice of vibrant revolutionary activities is an exceptionally good school for practicing morality network. He pointed out very noble manifestations of revolutionary morality: facing difficulties, hardship, failure “without fear, timidity, backing down, without hesitating to sacrifice all one’s own personal interests” (13), even when it is necessary to be ready to sacrifice one’s life for the sake of the common interests of the Party, the revolution, the class, the nation, and mankind. Having a revolutionary ethic, not only in trials and hardships, but also having advantages and successes, he still "maintains the spirit of hardship, simplicity, humility, "worries before the world, rejoices after the world"(14). ); take care of completing the task well, not in terms of enjoyment; no justice, no bureaucracy, no arrogance, no corruption. Having revolutionary morality, cadres and party members became beautiful, typically comrades Tran Phu, Ngo Gia Tu, Le Hong Phong, Nguyen Van Cu, Hoang Van Thu, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai and many comrades. is different. All those comrades were for the people,

2. Basic content and standards of revolutionary morality

Talking about revolutionary moral standards, President Ho Chi Minh summarized the most important thing as: "Determined throughout his life to fight for the Party and for the revolution"(15). On the basis of that standard, he stated the qualities of revolutionary morality are the need to "work hard for the Party, uphold the Party's discipline", "put the interests of the Party and the working people first, ahead of his own personal interests. Wholeheartedly serve the people” (16), model, study Marxism-Leninism, self-criticism and criticism to improve thought and improve work. The person affirms firmly and deeply believes that the future of the working class is very spacious and glorious: Although the working class is not very numerous, it will grow more and more, the working power will become stronger and stronger, and it will improve. Create the world and reinvent yourself.

In order to carry out the immediate and long-term revolutionary tasks of the country, it is to fight to bring the North towards socialism and realize national reunification; To make the whole country no longer exploited, to build a new society in backward industrial and agricultural conditions, workers must try to "emulate a lot of production, quickly, well, cheaply, etc. fight against waste and embezzlement” (18), rural areas “need to promote the movement of labor exchange groups and cooperatives widely and surely, to really increase production” and “cadres must really need to, In the process of carrying out revolutionary tasks, besides a large number of party members, union members and cadres who maintained the revolutionary morality, there was also a part that did not do it right. These people mistakenly believe that the North no longer has colonialism and feudalism, which means that the revolution has succeeded, they "demand enjoyment, demand rest", "want high status, but are afraid of responsibility". heavy", "their fighting spirit and positivity were diminished, the heroic spirit and good qualities of the revolutionaries were also reduced"(20). Those are the people who have "forgotten that the number one standard of revolutionaries is the lifelong determination to fight for the Party and the revolution"(21).

President Ho Chi Minh pointed out that, on our thousands of miles to move forward, we have three kinds of enemies: Capitalism and imperialists, and backward habits and traditions that implicitly impede the progress of the revolution. and individualism, petty bourgeois thought still lurks in each of us. This third type of enemy waits for the occasion - or the occasion of defeat, or the occasion of victory - to raise his head. It is the ally of the other two enemies. Therefore, he emphasized: "Revolutionary morality is that regardless of circumstances, one must be determined to fight against all enemies, always be on alert, ready to fight, determined not to give in, not to give up. bowing” (22).

As President Ho Chi Minh clearly pointed out in his 1953 work Political Knowledge: “All Party work is done by party members. All Party resolutions are implemented by party members. All Party policies are communicated to the masses by Party members. All slogans, all plans of the Party are made by Party members. Cadres are the root of all work in which morality is the root of revolutionaries, Ho Chi Minh always focused on moral qualities and exemplary of revolutionaries. The revolutionary morality of a party member is that no matter how difficult it is, he must resolutely follow the Party's policies and resolutions, setting an example for the masses. All party members must raise their sense of responsibility before the people and the Party; must prevent and resolutely oppose individualism, regardless of the circumstances, party members must put the interests of the Party first.

“Thinking of themselves as being good at everything, they stay away from the masses, do not want to learn from the masses, but just want to be teachers of the masses”, “sick with bureaucracy and orders” (25). In order to improve revolutionary morality and fight against individualism, President Ho Chi Minh emphasized that party members "must be willing to listen to the public's criticism and honestly self-criticize" and "merge with the masses to succeed." as a bloc, trusting the masses, understanding the masses, listening to the masses' opinions”(26), making the people believe, obey, and love the people, unite and encourage the masses to enthusiastically implement policies and resolutions. of the Party.

3. Cultivate and practice revolutionary morality, fight to eliminate individualism

In the last part of the work, President Ho Chi Minh affirmed that individualism is a great obstacle to the construction of socialism, so the victory of socialism cannot be separated from the victory of the struggle. fight against individualism. However, the struggle against individualism is not "tramping personal interests" but on the contrary, "only in the socialist regime can each person have conditions to improve his or her own life." , promote their own personality and forte” (27). When the common interests of the collective are guaranteed, only the private interests of individuals can be satisfied, and if personal interests' conflict with collective interests, revolutionary morality requires individual interests. must serve the common interests of the collective.

In order to clearly see the contradictions and properly solve the problems while revolutionary work is complicated and difficult, one must try to learn the theory and spirit of Marxism-Leninism. Recalling the danger of individualism, he called for the destruction of individualism and reaffirmed his lifelong determination to serve the Party and the people and uphold revolutionary morality to ensure victory. the interests of the Party, the class, and the people.

Concluding the work, President Ho Chi Minh wrote very succinct words: "Revolutionary morality does not fall from the sky. It develops and strengthens through struggle and daily practice. Just as the more polished the pearl, the brighter the gold, the clearer the gold” (28) and affirms the pride of the revolutionaries who gathered under the Party flag to strive for the people: “There is nothing more glorious and joyful than polishing cultivate revolutionary morality in order to make a worthy contribution to the cause of building socialism and liberating mankind” (29).

4. President Ho Chi Minh - a lifelong example of striving to cultivate revolutionary morality

As Professor Gu Yuanyang, a research expert from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, commented: "During his life, he always upholds the noble morals of "need, thrift, integrity, righteousness" and "righteousness" impartial", using those 8 words to educate cadres and people"(30). President Ho Chi Minh taught very good and very true things about revolutionary ethics and he himself is a typical example for a new morality full of profound humanity. Throughout his life, President Ho Chi Minh strived to cultivate revolutionary morality, from the beginning as a patriotic young man and then becoming the nation's first communist until founding the Communist Party of Vietnam, becoming President until the last days of his life, when he was old and weak. In him, always persevere, be patient with the habits of need, thrift, integrity, fairness, impartiality, lifelong service to the Fatherland, serve the people. For him, only revolutionary moral qualities are the most beautiful and only in the hearts of the people is the noblest.

President Ho Chi Minh said that even being the President of the country, he does not have special privileges and privileges, so in work as well as in daily life, everything he pays attention to is equal to everyone. In early 1946, the whole country held the first general election to elect the National Assembly. Near the election day, in Hanoi - where Uncle Ho ran for election, 118 Chairman of the People's Committee and representatives of communes announced a proposal: "Ask Uncle Ho not to run for office. in the upcoming General Election. We respect and forever support Ho Chi Minh as the President of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam." From many parts of the country, compatriots wrote letters asking Uncle "Uncle not to run for election in any province," the people of the country unanimously agreed to appoint Uncle Ho to the National Assembly. Before the people's trust and love, Uncle wrote a short letter to thank his compatriots and asked them to let him exercise his citizenship: I am a citizen of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, so I cannot go beyond the rules of the General Election. appointed appointment. I ran for election in Hanoi, so I can't run anywhere else. I would like to thank my compatriots for loving me and ask all of them to fulfil their duties as citizens in the upcoming General Election.

After peace was restored, once, Uncle Ho went to visit an ancient temple, the abbot greeted him and begged him not to take off his slippers when entering the temple. Uncle did not agree and quietly followed the same rules as visitors from all over the world to the temple. On the way back from the temple, when entering the city, Uncle Ho's car came to an intersection, just as the red light turned on, afraid of crowded streets, the car stopped for a long time, the security guard was about to run back to ask the traffic police comrade to turn on the lights. green for Uncle to go. Uncle understood to stop: The uncles must not do that, must respect and be exemplary in obeying traffic laws. Do not force the law to give you priority (31). When a comrade proposed to move the Central Office to another larger and more beautiful location, Uncle Ho said: The Central Office is so beautiful. After a moment of silence, Uncle asked everyone: Do you guys know where is the best place for the Central Office to build? Seeing everyone looking at each other, Uncle Ho pointed to his chest and said: "Building in here, in the hearts of the people is the best"(32).

Uncle never allowed himself to stand higher than the people or stand far away from the people, but he most sincerely merged with the desire to be a lifelong servant of the people. On May 8, 1959, visiting Yen Chau district (Son La), Uncle Ho told cadres: "The cadres from top to bottom, from Uncle to commune cadres are all servants of the people, not kings, Officials like in the past but pressed their heads and rode the people's necks. That is, cadres must take care of people's lives, and must help people organize their lives, cooperatives and militias. Officials have to come to the place to help, only when those organizations are really strong” (33). Uncle never wanted to promote him, but wanted everyone to focus on the masses, on the heroic people. On October 20, 1964, Uncle Ho and the President of the Republic of Mali, Modibo Cayta and his wife visited the Vietnam Revolution Museum. Listening to the guide talk about the event in 1941 when Uncle returned to his country, Uncle said: "Why do you talk about Uncle so much? Why not talk more about our great Party and heroic people” (34).

I also don't want others to have to work hard to serve me. Entering 1967, he was very old and weak, but he still walked to the dining room with 3 meals a day by himself from the house on stilts. Once after heavy rains, the road was still flooded, but when it was time to eat, even though it was still raining, Uncle still rolled up his pants above his knees, took an umbrella and waded with the security guard to go to the restaurant about 200 meters away. Seeing Uncle Uncle's thin shin, blue veins, brothers and sisters loved Uncle Ho shed tears but could not convince Uncle to allow rice to be served on stilts. Uncle said: Do you want only one person to work hard or do you want many people to work hard for you? As President, Uncle Ho has always been constantly training and cultivating revolutionary morality. Therefore, the higher the position, the more famous, the quintessence, qualities, and morality of Uncle Ho, the brighter and clearer.

President Ho Chi Minh is a great and outstanding thinker who has left a great legacy of revolutionary morality and up to now, issues of principle to ensure the leadership of the Party. fighting individualism, regularly practicing revolutionary morality, building the Party, building a strong government and a contingent of party members worthy of being public servants of the people in the work "Revolutionary morality" is still valid. treatment./.

Note:

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25, 26,27,28,29. Ho Chi Minh Complete Collection, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi-2002, September, pp.282-294

30. Coc Nguyen Duong: The spirit of President Ho Chi Minh lives forever, International Conference on President Ho Chi Minh, Unesco and Vietnam Social Science Committee, Social Science Publishing House, H.1990, pp.121

31. Uncle Ho with soldiers, People's Army Publishing House, Hanoi-2001, January 1

32, 33, 34. Relics of President Ho Chi Minh at the Presidential Palace, Every Little Story, One Big Lesson, Information and Communication Publishing House, page 65, page 68, page 106

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