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Moral power mighty

(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-11-04 07:50

When 400 names were cited on the list of "Chinese good persons" last week, many more must have been inspired to follow their examples.

The campaign to select "good persons beside you" was launched online in April this year, and more than 40 million netizens visited the website and some 2.5 million cast their votes. As a result, more than 3,000 good persons were recommended.

By a "good person", we Chinese usually refer to those who are always willing to help others or committed to things of public interest.

Compared with "models" of different types selected by public institutions or State-owned enterprises, they are ordinary folks who have committed themselves to a particular, minor thing for many years in the interest of others or in public interest.

Late Chairman Mao once said that it was easy to do a good deed once in a while, but it was not easy to always do good turns without committing anything evil.

That is why making such a list is meaningful and the citing of these many names on the list is of significance to the building of a harmonious society.

When the economic boom in the past three decades has widened the gap between the rich and the poor in the country, it is particularly meaningful to remind those becoming rich or eager to accumulate wealth of the traditional virtue of being a "good person."

At a time when the material prosperity created by rapid economic development has presented more temptations than ever before, it is even more important for everyone to know where to draw the line above the average moral standard.

A painter on the list, with the income from the sale of his paintings, has provided for 17 helpless widows or widowers in the past 38 years. All the old people he adopted have lived up to their 80s and five even to their 90s.

A retired general has spent all his pensions in the past 14 years in helping the poverty-stricken kids in remote areas. He also mobilized all his family members and friends to extend a helping hand to poverty-stricken children. With his efforts, more than 3,000 children have been assisted with their education and 24 Hope Schools built.

The 400 good persons have done different nice things, but what has supported them to follow their way of life is the same moral power. Behind this power is the conviction that love and a caring heart for each other is the most important element for social cohesion.

Money is important. But it is not everything. There is always something that can never be replaced by wealth. It is unimaginable for a person to live only with money but without love and concern from others.

If our hearts are touched by what these good persons have done, we also need to think what we can do for others or for public interest.

(China Daily 11/04/2008 page8)