I am a formalist.

You have to be able to laugh at yourself and not take yourself too seriously.

译文：读书学习，每天都要补上自己的不足，半途而废和剪断织布的线有啥区别?(乐羊子妻劝丈夫坚持学习)

The writer must be able to superintend himself and criticize himself.

天不能驱使人类，人也不能驱使天。