V. I.

Lenin

147

To:   P. N. LEPESHINSKY

At the request of Comrade Vas. Vas. I am explaining the passage he indicated in
my decision (that people can be found who do their work badly, but who are eager
to gossip about the shortcomings of others). The suggestion that I meant to
accuse someone, etc., is without grounds. Every Party worker has his
shortcomings and drawbacks in the work, but we must be careful that
criticism of short comings or their examination at the central Party bodies does
not overstep the boundary where tittle-tattle begins. The whole point and
substance of my decision are meant to serve as a warning and a
request that an immediate stop be put to a matter that has been wrongly
and badly begun.

N. Lenin