(July 1967)
When you make a mistake, reflect on it and correct it. Once it’s corrected, that’s all there is to it—just say three things.
First: “I was wrong.” Second: “Specifically, the mistake was this—on this issue or that, if the direction was wrong, admit that the direction was wrong on that particular issue.” Third: “Now I will correct it.” That’s all there is to it. Public self-criticism is better than keeping it private; adopting a high-minded, principled stance during self-criticism is preferable to a defensive one; and addressing mistakes sooner rather than later is always best.
In recent years, the military has done relatively little mass work. If we’ve made mistakes, let’s admit them and correct them—without meting out disciplinary sanctions or bringing charges.

File photo: Zhang Aiping accompanying Mao Zedong as he meets with officers and soldiers of the armed forces.