150 Quotes from Mao Tse Tung

Revolutionary Civil War Period 1926-1927

A revolution is not a dinner party, or writing an essay, or painting a picture, or doing embroidery; it cannot be so refined, so leisurely and gentle, so temperate, kind, courteous, restrained and magnanimous. A revolution is an insurrection, an act of violence by which one class overthrows another.

“Report on an Investigation of the Peasant Movement in Hunan” (March 1927), Selected Works, Vol. I, p. 28.

In the sphere of theory, destroy the roots of ultra-democracy. First, it should be pointed out that the danger of ultrademocracy lies in the fact that it damages or even completely wrecks the Party organization and weakens or even completely undermines the Party's fighting capacity, rendering the Party incapable of fulfilling its fighting tasks and thereby causing the defeat of the revolution. Next, it should be pointed out that the source of ultra-democracy consists in the petty bourgeoisie's individualistic aversion to discipline. When this characteristic is brought into the Party, i t develops into ultra-democratic ideas politically and organizationally. These ideas are utterly incompatible with the fighting tasks of the proletariat.

“On Correcting Mistaken Ideas in the Party” (December 1929), Selected Works, Vol. I, p. 108.

Inner-Party criticism is a weapon for strengthening the Party organization and increasing its fighting capacity. In the Party organization of the Red Army, however, criticism is not always of this character, and sometimes turns into personal attack. As a result, it damages the Party organization as well as individuals. This is a manifestation of petty-bourgeois individualism. The method of correction is to help Party members understand that the purpose of criticism is to increase the Party's fighting capacity in order to achieve victory in the class struggle and that it should not be used as a means of personal attack.

“On Correcting Mistaken Ideas in the Party” (December 1929), Selected Works, Vol. I, p. 110.

When we look at a thing, we must examine its essence and treat its appearance merely as an usher at the threshold, and once we cross the threshold, we must grasp the essence of the thing; this is the only reliable and scientific method of analysis.

“A Single Spark Can Start a Prairie Fire” (January 5, 1930), Selected Works, Vol. I, p. 119.

The revolutionary war is a war of the masses; only mobilizing the masses and relying on them can wage it.

“Be Concerned with the Well-Being of the Masses, Pay Attention to Methods of Work” (January 27, 1934), Selected Works, Vol. I, p. 147.

In approaching a problem a Marxist should see the whole as well as the parts. A frog in a well says, “The sky is no bigger than the mouth of the well.” That is untrue, for the sky is not just the size of the mouth of the well. If it said, “A part of the sky is the size of the mouth of a well”, that would be true, for it tallies with the facts.

“On Tactics Against Japanese Imperialism” (December 27, 1935), Selected Works, Vol. I, p. 159.

We the Chinese nation have the spirit to fight the enemy to the last drop of our blood, the determination to recover our lost territory by our own efforts, and the ability to stand on our own feet in the family of nations.

“On Tactics Against Japanese Imperialism” (December 27, 1935), Selected Works, Vol. I, p. 170.

It is well known that when you do anything, unless you understand its actual circumstances, its nature and its relations to other things, you will not know the laws governing it, or know how to do it, or be able to do it well.

“Problems of Strategy in China's Revolutionary War” (December 1936), Selected Works, Vol. I, p. 179.

War is the highest form of struggle for resolving contradictions, when they have developed to a certain stage, between classes, nations, states, or political groups, and it has existed ever since the emergence of private property and of classes.

“Problems of Strategy in China's Revolutionary War” (December 1936), Selected Works, Vol. I, p. 180.

What we need is an enthusiastic but calm state of mind and intense but orderly work.

“Problems of Strategy in China's Revolutionary War” (December 1936), Selected Works, Vol. I, p. 211.

Communists should be the most farsighted, the most self-sacrificing, the most resolute, and the least prejudiced in sizing up situations, and should rely on the majority of the masses and win their support.

“The Tasks of the Chinese Communist Party in the Period of Resistance to Japan” (May 3, 1937), Selected Works, Vol. I, p. 274.

Revolutionary Civil War Period: “On Practice” and “On Contradiction” 1937

In class society, everyone lives as a member of a particular class, and every kind of thinking, without exception, is stamped with the brand of a class.

“On Practice,” (July 1937), Selected Works, Vol. I, p. 296.

If a man wants to succeed in his work, that is, to achieve the anticipated results, he must bring his ideas into correspondence with the laws of the objective external world; if they do not correspond, he will fail in his practice. After he fails, he draws his lessons, corrects his ideas to make them correspond to the laws of the external world, and can thus turn failure into success; this is what is meant by “failure is the mother of success” and “a fall into the pit, a gain in your wit”.

“On Practice,” (July 1937), Selected Works, Vol. I, pp. 296-97.

The Marxist philosophy of dialectical materialism has two outstanding characteristics. One is its class nature: it openly avows that dialectical materialism is in the service of the proletariat. The other is its practicality: it emphasizes the dependence of theory on practice, emphasizes that theory is based on practice and in turn serves practice.

“On Practice,” (July 1937), Selected Works, Vol. I, p. 297.

Whoever wants to know a thing has no way of doing so except by coming into contact with it, that is, by living (practicing) in its environment. ... If you want knowledge, you must take part in the practice of changing reality. If you want to know the taste of a pear, you must change the pear by eating it yourself.... If you want to know the theory and methods of revolution, you must take part in revolution. All genuine knowledge originates in direct experience.

“On Practice,” (July 1937), Selected Works, Vol. I, pp. 299-300.

Only those who are subjective, one-sided and superficial in their approach to problems will smugly issue orders or directives the moment they arrive on the scene, without considering the circumstances, without viewing things in their totality (their history and their present state as a whole) and without getting to the essence of things (their nature and the internal relations between one thing and another). Such people are bound to trip and fall.

“On Practice,” (July 1937), Selected Works, Vol. I, p. 302.

Knowledge begins with practice, and theoretical knowledge, which is acquired through practice, must then return to practice. The active function of knowledge manifests itself not only in the active leap from perceptual to rational knowledge, but - and this is more important - it must manifest itself in the leap from rational knowledge to revolutionary practice.

“On Practice,” (July 1937), Selected Works, Vol. I, p. 304.

If we have a correct theory but merely prate about it, pigeonhole it and do not put it into practice, then that theory, however good, is of no significance.

“On Practice,” (July 1937), Selected Works, Vol. I, p. 304.

Marxist philosophy holds that the most important problem does not lie in understanding the laws of the objective world and thus being able to explain it, but in applying the knowledge of these laws actively to change the world.

" On Practice,” (July 1937), Selected Works, Vol. I, p. 304.

The fundamental cause of the development of a thing is not external but internal; it lies in the contradictoriness within the thing. This internal contradiction exists in every single thing, hence its motion and development. Contradictoriness within a thing is the fundamental cause of its development, while its interrelations and interactions with other things are secondary causes.

“On Contradiction,” (August 1937), Selected Works, Vol. I, p. 313.

Changes in society are due chiefly to the development of the internal contradictions in society, that is, the contradiction between the productive forces and the relations of production, the contradiction between classes and the contradiction between the old and the new; it is the development of these contradictions that pushes society forward and gives the impetu6 for the suppression of the old society by the new.

“On Contradiction,” (August 1937), Selected Works, Vol. I, p. 314.

It [materialist dialectics] holds that external causes are the condition of change and internal causes are the basis of change, and that external causes become operative through internal causes. In a suitable temperature an egg changes into a chicken, but no temperature can change a stone into a chicken, because each has a different basis.

“On Contradiction,” (August 1937), Selected Works, Vol. I p. 314.

Opposition and struggle between ideas of different kinds constantly occur within the Party; this is a reflection within the Party of contradictions between classes and between the new and the old in society. If there were no contradictions in the Party and no ideological struggles to resolve them, the Party's life would come to an end.

“On Contradiction,” (August 1937), Selected Works, Vol. I, p. 317.

If in any process there are a number of contradictions, one of them must be the principal contradiction playing the leading and decisive role, while the rest occupy a secondary and subordinate position. Therefore, in studying any complex process in which there are two or more contradictions, we must devote every effort to finding its principal contradiction. Once this principal contradiction is grasped, all problems can be readily solved.

“On Contradiction,” (August 1937), Selected Works, Vol. I, p. 332.

Of the two contradictory aspects, one must be principal and the other secondary. The principal aspect is the one playing the leading role in the contradiction. The nature of a thing is determined mainly by the principal aspect of a contradiction, the aspect that has gained the dominant position. But this situation is not static; the principal and the non-principal aspects of a contradiction transform themselves into each other and the nature of the thing changes accordingly.

“On Contradiction,” (August 1937), Selected Works, Vol. I, p. 333.

While we recognize that in the general development of history the material determines the mental and social being determines social consciousness, we also - and indeed must - recognize the reaction of mental on material things, of social consciousness on social being and of the superstructure on the economic base. This does not go against materialism; on the contrary, it avoids mechanical materialism and firmly upholds dialectical materialism.

“On Contradiction,” (August 1937), Selected Works, Vol. I, p. 336.

Contradiction and struggle are universal and absolute, but the methods of resolving contradictions, that is, the forms of struggle, differ according to the differences in the nature of the contradictions. Some contradictions are characterized by open antagonism and others are not. In accordance with the concrete development of things, some contradictions, which were originally non-antagonistic, develop into antagonistic ones, while others which were originally antagonistic develop into non-antagonistic ones.

“On Contradiction,” (August 1937), Selected Works, Vol. I, p 344.

Revolutions and revolutionary wars are inevitable in class society, and without them it is impossible to accomplish any leap in social development and to overthrow the reactionary ruling classes and therefore impossible for the people to win political power.

“On Contradiction,” (August1937), Selected Works, Vol. I, p. 344.

The Period of the War of Resistance Against Japan 1937-1941

The system of Party representatives and of political departments, adopted for the first time in China, entirely changed the complexion of these armed forces. The Red Army, which was founded in 1927 and the Eighth Route Army of today have inherited this system and developed it.

“Interview with the British Journalist James Bertram” (October 25, 1937), Selected Works, Vol. II, p. 54.

Weapons are an important factor in war, but not the decisive factor; it is people, not things that are decisive. The contest of strength is not only a contest of military and economic power, but also a contest of human power and morale. People necessarily wield military and economic power.

“On Protracted War” (May 1958), Selected Works, Vol. II, pp. 143-44.

History shows that wars are divided into two kinds, just and unjust. All wars that are progressive are just, and all wars that impede progress are unjust. We Communists oppose all unjust wars that impede progress, but we do not oppose progressive, just wars. Not only do we Communists not oppose just wars; we actively participate in them. As for unjust wars, World War I is an instance in which both sides fought for imperialist interests; therefore, the Communists of the whole world firmly opposed that war. The way to oppose a war of this kind is to do everything possible to prevent it before it breaks out and, once it breaks out, to oppose war with war, to oppose unjust war with just war, whenever possible.

“On Protracted War” (May 1938), Selected Works, Vol. II, p. 150.

In seeking victory, those who direct a war cannot overstep the limitations imposed by the objective conditions. Within these limitations, however, they can and must play a dynamic role in striving for victory. The stage of action for commanders in a war must be built upon objective possibilities, but on that stage they can direct the performance of many a drama, full of sound and color, power and grandeur.

“On Protracted War” (May 1938), Selected Works, Vol. II, p. 152.

Without preparedness, superiority is not real superiority and there can be no initiative either. Having grasped this point, a force that is inferior but prepared can often defeat a superior enemy by surprise attack.

“On Protracted War” (May 1938), Selected Works, Vol. II, pp. 165-66.

The army must become one with the people so that they see it as their own army. Such an army will be invincible....

“On Protracted War” (May 1938), Selected Works, Vol. II, p. 186.

A proper measure of democracy should be put into effect in the army, chiefly by abolishing the feudal practice of bullying and beating and by having officers and men share weal and woe. Once this is done, unity will be achieved between officers and men, the combat effectiveness of the army will be greatly increased, and there will be no doubt of our ability to sustain the long, cruel war.

“On Protracted War” (May 1938), Selected Works, Vol. II, p. 186.

The exemplary vanguard role of the Communists is of vital importance. Communists in the Eighth Route and New Fourth Armies should set an example in fighting bravely, carrying out orders, observing discipline, doing political work and fostering internal unity and solidarity.

“The Role of the Chinese Communist Party in the National War” (October 1938), Selected Works, Vol. II, p. 197.

Communists should set an example in being practical as well as far-sighted. For only by being practical can they fulfil the appointed tasks, and only far-sightedness can prevent them from losing their bearings in the march forward.

“The Role of the Chinese Communist Party in the National War” (October 1938), Selected Works, Vol. II, p. 198.

Communists should set an example in study; at all times they should be pupils of the masses as well as their teachers.

“The Role of the Chinese Communist Party in the National War” (October 1938), Selected Works, Vol. II, p. 198.

Every Communist working in the mass movements should be a friend of the masses and not a boss over them, an indefatigable teacher and not a bureaucratic politician.

“The Role of the Chinese Communist Party in the National War” (October 1938), Selected Works, Vol. II.

The attitude of Communists towards any person who has made mistakes in his work should be one of persuasion in order to help him change and start afresh and not one of exclusion, unless he is incorrigible.

“The Role of the Chinese Communist Party in the National War” (October 1938), Selected Works, Vol. II, p. 198.

As for people who are politically backward, Communists should not slight or despise them, but should befriend them, unite with them, convince them and encourage them to go forward.

“The Role of the Chinese Communist Party in the National War” (October 1938), Selected Works, Vol. II.

Communists must never separate themselves from the majority of the people or neglect them by leading only a few progressive contingents in an isolated and rash advance, but must take care to forge close links between the progressive elements and the broad masses. This is what thinking in terms of the majority means.

“The Role of the Chinese Communist Party in the National War” (October 1938), Selected Works, Vol. II, p. 201.

Cadres are a decisive factor, once the political line is determined. Therefore, it is our fighting task to train large numbers of new cadres in a planned way.

“The Role of the Chinese Communist Party in the National War” (October 1938), Selected Works, Vol. II, p. 202.

Education in democracy must be carried on within the Party so that members can understand the meaning of democratic life, the meaning of the relationship between democracy and centralism, and the way in which democratic centralism should be put into practice. Only in this way can we really extend democracy within the Party and at the same time avoid ultra-democracy and the laissez-faire that destroys discipline.

“The Role of the Chinese Communist Party in the National War” (October 1938), Selected Works, Vol. II, p. 205.

No political party can possibly lead a great revolutionary movement to victory unless it possesses revolutionary theory and knowledge of history and has a profound grasp of the practical movement.

“The Role of the Chinese Communist Party in the National War” (October 1938), Selected Works, Vol. II, p. 208.

The theory of Marx, Engels, Lenin and Stalin is universally applicable. We should regard it not as a dogma, but as a guide to action. Studying it is not merely a matter of learning terms and phrases but of learning Marxism-Leninism as the science of revolution. It is not just a matter of understanding the general laws derived by Marx, Engels, Lenin and Stalin from their extensive study of real life and revolutionary experience, but of studying their standpoint and method in examining and solving problems.

“The Role of the Chinese Communist Party in the National War” (October 1938), Selected Works, Vol. II, pp. 208-09.

The criterion the Communist Party should apply in its cadres policy is whether or not a cadre is resolute in carrying out the Party line, keeps to Party discipline, has close ties with the masses, has the ability to find his bearings independently, and is active, hardworking and unselfish. This is what “appointing people on their merit” means.

“The Role of the Chinese Communist Party in the National War” (October 1938), Selected Works, Vol. II.

The seizure of power by armed force, the settlement of the issue by war, is the central task and the highest form of revolution. This Marxist-Leninist principle of revolution holds well universally, for China and for all other countries.

“Problems of War and Strategy” (November 6, 1938), Selected Works, Vol. II, p. 219.

Every Communist must grasp the truth; “Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.”

“Problems of War and Strategy” (November 6, 1938), Selected Works, Vol. II, p. 224.

Our principle is that the Party commands the gun, and the gun must never be allowed to command the Party.

“Problems of War and Strategy” (November 6, 1938), Selected Works, Vol. II, p. 224.

We are advocates of the abolition of war, we do not want war; but war can only be abolished through war, and in order to get rid of the gun it is necessary to take up the gun.

“Problems of War and Strategy” (November 6, 1938), Selected Works, Vol. II.

We should support whatever the enemy opposes and oppose whatever the enemy supports.

“Interview with Three Correspondents from the Central News Agency, the Sao Tang Pao and the Hsin Min Pao” (September 16, 1939), Selected Works, Vol. II, p. 272.

Without armed struggle neither the proletariat, nor the people, nor the Communist Party would have any standing at all in China and it would be impossible for the revolution to triumph. In these years [the eighteen years since the founding of the Party] the development, consolidation and bolshevization of our Party have proceeded in the midst of revolutionary wars; without armed struggle the Communist Party would assuredly not be what it is today. Comrades throughout the Party must never forget this experience for which we have paid in blood.

“Introducing The Communist” (October 4, 1939), Selected Works, Vol. II, p. 292.

The ruthless economic exploitation and political oppression of the peasants by the landlord class forced them into numerous uprisings against its rule.... It was the class struggles of the peasants, the peasant uprisings and peasant wars that constituted the real motive force of historical development in Chinese feudal society.

“The Chinese Revolution and the Chinese Communist Party” (December 1939), Selected Works, Vol. II, p. 308.

The intellectuals often tend to be subjective and individualistic, impractical in their thinking and irresolute in action until they have thrown themselves heart and soul into mass revolutionary struggles, or made up their minds to serve the interests of the masses and become one with them. Hence although the mass of revolutionary intellectuals in China can play a vanguard role or serve as a link with the masses, not all of them will remain revolutionaries to the end. Some will drop out of the revolutionary ranks at critical moments and become passive, while a few may even become enemies of the revolution. The intellectuals can overcome their shortcomings only in mass struggles over a long period.

“The Chinese Revolution and the Chinese Communist Party” (December 1939), Selected Works, Vol. II, p. 322.

Taken as a whole, the Chinese revolutionary movement led by the Communist Party embraces the two stages, i.e., the democratic and the socialist revolutions, which are two essentially different revolutionary processes, and the second process can be carried through only after the first has been completed. The democratic revolution is the necessary preparation for the socialist revolution, and the socialist revolution is the inevitable sequel to the democratic revolution. The ultimate aim for which all communists strive is to bring about a socialist and communist society.

“The Chinese Revolution and the Chinese Communist Party” (December 1939), Selected Works, Vol. II, pp. 330-31.

What kind of spirit is this that makes a foreigner selflessly adopt the cause of the Chinese people's liberation as his own? It is the spirit of internationalism, the spirit of communism, from which every Chinese Communist must learn.... We must unite with the proletariat of all the capitalist countries, with the proletariat of Japan, Britain, the United States, Germany, Italy and all other capitalist countries, before it is possible to overthrow imperialism, to liberate our nation and people, and to liberate the other nations and peoples of the world. This is our internationalism, the internationalism with which we oppose both narrow nationalism and narrow patriotism.

“In Memory of Norman Bethune” (December 21, 1939), Selected Works, Vol. II, p. 337.

Revolutionary culture is a powerful revolutionary weapon for the broad masses of the people. It prepares the ground ideologically before the revolution comes and is an important, indeed essential, fighting front in the general revolutionary front during the revolution.

“On New Democracy” (January 1940), Selected Works, Vol. II, p. 382.

The Period of the War of Resistance Against Japan 1941-1945

The masses are the real heroes, while we ourselves are often childish and ignorant, and without this understanding, it is impossible to acquire even the most rudimentary knowledge.

“Preface and Postscript to Rural Surveys” (March and April 1941), Selected Works, Vol. III, p. 12.

Communists must listen attentively to the views of people outside the Party and let them have their say. If what they say is right, we ought to welcome it, and we should learn from their strong points; if it is wrong, we should let them finish what they are saying and then patiently explain things to them.

“Speech at the Assembly of Representatives of the Shensi-Kansu-Ningsia Border Region” (November 21, 1941), Selected Works, Vol. III.

A Communist must never be opinionated or domineering, thinking that he is good in everything while others are good in nothing; he must never shut himself up in his little room, or brag and boast and lord it over others.

“Speech at the Assembly of Representatives of the Shensi-Kansu-Ningsia Border Region” (November 21, 1941), Selected Works, Vol. III, p. 33.

We should encourage comrades to take the interests of the whole into account. Every Party member, every branch of work, every statement and every action must proceed from the interests of the whole Party; it is absolutely impermissible to violate this principle.

“Rectify the Party's Style of Work” (February 1, 1942), Selected Works, Vol. III, p. 44.

Communists must always go into the why's and wherefore's of anything, use their own heads and carefully think over whether or not it corresponds to reality and is really well founded; on no account should they follow blindly and encourage slavishness.

“Rectify the Party's Style of Work” (February 1, 1942), Selected Works, Vol. III, pp. 49-50.

[Our purpose is] to ensure that literature and art fit well into the whole revolutionary machine as a component part, that they operate as powerful weapons for uniting and educating the people and for attacking and destroying the enemy, and that they help the people fight the enemy with one heart and one mind.

“Talks at the Yenan Forum on Literature and Art” (May 1942), Selected Works, Vol. III, p. 70.

Our stand is that of the proletariat and of the masses. For members of the Communist Party, this means keeping to the stand of the Party, keeping to Party spirit and Party policy.

“Talks at the Yenan Forum on Literature and Art” (May 1942), Selected Works, Vol. III, p. 70.

We are Marxists, and Marxism teaches that in our approach to a problem we should start from objective facts, not from abstract definitions, and that we should derive our guiding principles, policies and measures from an analysis of these facts.

“Talks at the Yenan Forum on Literature and Art” (May 1942), Selected Works, Vol. III, p. 74.

Our literary and art workers must accomplish this task and shift their stand; they must gradually move their feet over to the side of the workers, peasants and soldiers, to the side of the proletariat, through the process of going into their very midst and into the thick of practical struggles and through the process of studying Marxism and society. Only in this way can we have a literature and art that are truly for the workers, peasants and soldiers, a truly proletarian literature and art.

“Talks at the Yenan Forum on Literature and Art” (May 1942), Selected Works, Vol. III, p. 78.

All our literature and art are for the masses of the people, and in the first place for the workers, peasants and soldiers; they are created for the workers, peasants and soldiers and are for their use.

“Talks at the Yenan Forum on Literature and Art” (May 1942), Selected Works, Vol. III, p. 84.

In the world today all culture, all literature and art belong to definite classes and are geared to definite political lines. There is in fact no such thing as art for art's sake, art that stands above classes, art that is detached from or independent of politics. Proletarian literature and art are part of the whole proletarian revolutionary cause; they are, as Lenin said, cogs and wheels in the whole revolutionary machine.

“Talks at the Yenan Forum on Literature and Art” (May 1942), Selected Works, Vol. III, p. 86.

To criticize the people's shortcomings is necessary, ... but in doing so we must truly take the stand of the people and speak out of whole-hearted eagerness to protect and educate them. To treat comrades like enemies is to go over to the stand of the enemy.

“Talks at the Yenan Forum on Literature and Art” (May 1942), Selected Works, Vol. III, p. 92.

Historically, all reactionary forces on the verge of extinction invariably conduct a last desperate struggle against the revolutionary forces, and some revolutionaries are apt to be deluded for a time by this phenomenon of outward strength but inner weakness failing to grasp the essential fact that the enemy is nearing extinction while they themselves are approaching victory.

“The Turning Point in World War II” (October 12, 1942), Selected Works, Vol. III, p. 103.

The masses in any given place are generally composed of three parts, the relatively active, the intermediate and the relatively backward. The leaders must therefore be skilled in uniting the small number of active elements around the leadership and must rely on them to raise the level of the intermediate elements and to win over the backward elements.

“Some Questions Concerning Methods of Leadership” (June 1, 1943), Selected Works, Vol. III, p. 118.

However active the leading group may be, its activity will amount to fruitless effort by a handful of people unless combined with the activity of the masses. On the other hand, if the masses alone are active without a strong leading group to organize their activity properly, such activity cannot be sustained for long, or carried forward in the right direction, or raised to a high level.

“Some Questions Concerning Methods of Leadership” (June 1, 1943), Selected Works, Vol. III, p. 118.

No one in a leading position is competent to give general guidance to all the units unless he derives concrete experience from particular individuals and events in particular subordinate units. This method must be promoted everywhere so that leading cadres at all levels learn to apply it.

“Some Questions Concerning Methods of Leadership” (June 1, 1943), Selected Works, Vol. III, p. 118.

Take the ideas of the masses and concentrate them, then go to the masses, persevere in the ideas and carry them through, so as to form correct ideas of leadership - such is the basic method of leadership.

“Some Questions Concerning Methods of Leadership” (June 1, 1943), Selected Works, Vol. III, p. 120.

We have an army for fighting as well as an army for labour. For fighting, we have the Eighth Route and New Fourth Armies but even they do a dual job, warfare and production. With these two kinds of armies, and with a fighting army skilled in these two tasks and in mass work, we can overcome our difficulties and defeat Japanese imperialism.

“Get Organized!” (November 29, 1943), Selected Works, Vol. III, p. 153.

We should go to the masses and learn from them, synthesize their experience into better, articulated principles and methods, then do propaganda among the masses, and call upon them to put these principles and methods into practice so as to solve their problems and help them achieve liberation and happiness.

“Get Organized!” (November 29, 1943), Selected Works, Vol. III, p. 158.

We Communists must be able to integrate ourselves with the masses in all things. If our Party members spend their whole lives sitting indoors and never go out to face the world and brave the storm, what good will they be to the Chinese people? None at all, and we do not need such people as Party members. We Communists ought to face the world and brave the storm the great world of mass struggle and the mighty storm of mass struggle.

“Get Organized!” (November 29, 1943), Selected Works, Vol. III, p. 158.

We should always use our brains and think everything over carefully. A common saying goes, “Knit your brows and you will hit upon a stratagem.” In other words much thinking yields wisdom. In order to get rid of the blindness that exists to a serious extent in our Party, we must encourage our comrades to think, to learn the method of analysis and to cultivate the habit of analysis.

“Our Study and the Current Situation” (April 12, 1944), Selected Works, Vol. III, pp. 174-75.

If we have shortcomings, we are not afraid to have them pointed out and criticized, because we serve the people. Anyone, no matter who, may point out our shortcomings. If he is right, we will correct them. If what he proposes will benefit the people, we will act upon it.

“Serve the People” (September 8, 1941), Selected Works, Vol. III, p. 227.

All men must die, but death can vary in its significance. The ancient Chinese writer Szuma Chien said, “Though death befalls all men alike, it may be weightier than Mount Tai or lighter than a feather.” To die for the people is weightier than Mount Tai, but to work for the fascists and die for the exploiters and oppressors is lighter than a feather.

“Serve the People” (September 8, 1944), Selected Works, Vol. III, p. 227.

In times of difficulty we must not lose sight of our achievements, must see the bright future and must pluck up our courage.

“Serve the People” (September 8, 1944), Selected Works, Vol. III, pp. 227-28.

We hail from all corners of the country and have joined together for a common revolutionary objective.... Our cadres must show concern for every soldier, and all people in the revolutionary ranks must care for each other, must love and help each other.

“Serve the People” (September 8, 1944), Selected Works, Vol. III, pp. 227-28.

Wherever there is struggle there is sacrifice, and death is a common occurrence. But we have the interests of the people and the sufferings of the great majority at heart, and when we die for the people it is a worthy death. Nevertheless, we should do our best to avoid unnecessary sacrifices.

“Serve the People” (September 8, 1944), Selected Works, Vol. III, p. 228.

An army without culture is a dull-witted army, and a dull-witted army cannot defeat the enemy.

“The United Front in Cultural Work” (October 30, 1944), Selected Works, Vol. III, p. 235.

We stand for self-reliance. We hope for foreign aid but cannot be dependent on it; we depend on our own efforts, on the creative power of the whole army and the entire people.

“We Must Learn to Do Economic Work” (January 10, 1945), Selected Works, Vol. III, p. 241.

The people, and the people alone, are the motive force in the making of world history.

“On Coalition Government” (April 24, 1945), Selected Works, Vol. III, p. 257.

This army has an indomitable spirit and is determined to vanquish all enemies and never to yield. No matter what the difficulties and hardships, so long as a single man remains, he will fight on.

“On Coalition Government” (April 24, 1945), Selected Works, Vol. III, p. 264.

This army has built up a system of political work which is essential for the people's war and is aimed at promoting unity in its own ranks, unity with the friendly armies and unity with the people, and at disintegrating the enemy forces and ensuring victory in battle.

“On Coalition Government” (April 24, 1945), Selected Works, Vol. III, p. 265.

We Communists never conceal our political views. Definitely and beyond all doubt, our future or maximum program is to carry China forward to socialism and communism. Both the name of our Party and our Marxist world outlook unequivocally point to this supreme ideal of the future, a future of incomparable brightness and splendor.

“On Coalition Government” (April 24, 1945), Selected Works, Vol. III, p. 282.

Without a People's army, the people have nothing.

“On Coalition Government” (April 24, 1945), Selected Works, Vol. III, pp. 296-97.

Anyone who sees only the bright side but not the difficulties cannot fight effectively for the accomplishment of the Party's tasks.

“On Coalition Government” (April 24, 1945), Selected Works, Vol. III, p. 314.

Communists must be ready at all times to stand up for the truth, because truth is in the interests of the people; Communists must be ready at all times to correct their mistakes, because mistakes are against the interests of the people.

“On Coalition Government” (April 24, 1945), Selected Works, Vol. III, p. 315.

Every comrade must be helped to understand that as long as we rely on the people, believe firmly in the inexhaustible creative power of the masses and hence trust and identify ourselves with them, we can surmount any difficulty, and no enemy can crush us while we can crush any enemy.

“On Coalition Government” (April 24, 1945), Selected Works, Vol. III, p. 316.

Thousands upon thousands of martyrs have heroically laid down their lives for the people; let us hold their banner high and march ahead along the path crimson with their blood!

“On Coalition Government” (April 24, 1945), Selected Works, Vol. III, p. 318.

Be resolute, fear no sacrifice and surmount every difficulty to win victory.

“The Foolish Old Man Who Removed the Mountains” (June 11, 1945), Selected Works, Vol. III, p. 321.

The Third Revolutionary Civil War 1945-1949

Our duty is to hold ourselves responsible to the people. Every word, every act and every policy must conform to the people's interests, and if mistakes occur, they must be corrected - that is what being responsible to the people means.

“The Situation and Our Policy After the Victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan” (August 13, 1945), Selected Works, Vol. IV, p. 16.

It is up to us to organize the people. As for the reactionaries in China, it is up to us to organize the people to overthrow them. Everything reactionary is the same; if you do not hit it, it will not fall. This is also like sweeping the floor; as a rule, where the broom does not reach, the dust will not vanish of itself.

“The Situation and Our Policy After the Victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan” (August 13, 1945), Selected Works, Vol. IV, p. 19.

If anyone attacks us and if the conditions are favorable for battle, we will certainly act in self-defense to wipe him out resolutely, thoroughly, wholly and completely (we do not strike rashly, but when we do strike, we must win). We must never be cowed by the bluster of reactionaries.

“On Peace Negotiations with the Kuomintang - Circular of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China” (August 26, 1945), Selected Works, Vol. IV, p. 49

We Communists are like seeds and the people are like the soil. Wherever we go, we must unite with the people, take root and blossom among them.

“On the Chungking Negotiations” (October 17, 1945), Selected Works, Vol. IV, p. 58.

The world is progressing, the future is bright and no one can change this general trend of history. We should carry on constant propaganda among the people on the facts of world progress and the bright future ahead so that they will build their confidence in victory.

“On the Chungking Negotiations” (October 17, 1945), Selected Works, Vol. IV. p. 59.

Wherever our comrades go they must build good relations with the masses, be concerned for them and help them overcome their difficulties. We must unite with the masses, the more of the masses we unite with, the better.

“On the Chungking Negotiations” (October 17, 1945), Selected Works, Vol. IV, p. 59.

We must thoroughly clear away all ideas among our cadres of winning easy victories through good luck, without hard and bitter struggle, without sweat and blood.

“Build Stable Base Areas in the Northeast” (December 28, 1945), Selected Works, Vol. IV, p. 84.

As far as our own desire is concerned, we do not want to fight even for a single day. However, if circumstances force us to fight, we can fight to the finish.

“Talk with the American Correspondent Anna Louise Strong” (August 1946), Selected Works, Vol. IV, p. 97.

The atom bomb is a paper tiger that the U.S. reactionaries use to scare people. It looks terrible, but in fact it isn't. Of course, the atom bomb is a weapon of mass slaughter, but the people decide the outcome of a war, not by one or two new types of weapon.

“Talk with the American Correspondent Anna Louise Strong” (August 1946), Selected Works, Vol. IV, p. 100.

All reactionaries are paper tigers. In appearance, the reactionaries are terrifying, but in reality, they are not so powerful. From a long-term point of view, it is not the reactionaries but the people who are powerful.

“Talk with the American Correspondent Anna Louise Strong” (August 1946), Selected Works, Vol. IV, p. 100.

Give full play to our style of fighting - courage in battle, no fear of sacrifice, no fear of fatigue, and continuous fighting (that is, fighting successive battles in a short time without rest).

“The Present Situation and Our Tasks” (December 25, 1947), Selected Works, Vol. IV, p. 161.

We should rid our ranks of all impotent thinking. All views that overestimate the strength of the enemy and underestimate the strength of the people are wrong.

“The Present Situation and Our Tasks” (December 25, 1947), Selected Works, Vol. IV, p. 173.

Policy and tactics are the life of the Party; leading comrades at all levels must give them full attention and must never on any account be negligent.

“A Circular on the Situation” (March 20, 1948), Selected Works, Vol. IV, p. 220.

The most fundamental method of work, which all Communists must firmly bear in mind, is to determine our working policies according to actual conditions. When we study the causes of the mistakes we have made, we find that they all arose because we departed from the actual situation at a given time and place and were subjective in determining our working policies.

“Speech at a Conference of Cadres in the Shansi-Suiyuan Liberated Area” (April 1, 1948), Selected Works, Vol. IV, pp. 229-30.

There are people in our leading organs in some places that think that it is enough for the leaders alone to know the Party's policies and that there is no need to let the masses know them. This is one of the basic reasons why some of our work cannot be done well.

“A Talk to the Editorial Staff of the Shansi-Suiyuan Daily” (April 2, 1948), Selected Works, Vol. IV, p. 241.

To be good at translating the Party's policy into action of the masses, to be good at getting not only the leading cadres but also the broad masses to understand and master every movement and every struggle we launch - this is an art of Marxist-Leninist leadership. It is also the dividing line that determines whether or not we make mistakes in our work.

“A Talk to the Editorial Staff of the Shansi-Suiyuan Daily” (April 2, 1948), Selected Works, Vol. IV, pp 242-43.

If we tried to go on the offensive when the masses are not yet awakened, that would be adventurism. If we insisted on leading the masses to do anything against their will, we would certainly fail. If we did not advance when the masses demand advance, that would be Right opportunism.

“A Talk to the Editorial Staff of the Shansi-Suiyuan Daily” (April 2, I948), Selected Works, Vol. IV, p. 243.

Our slogan in training troops is “Officers teach soldiers, soldiers teach officers and soldiers teach each other”. The fighters have a lot of practical combat experience. The officers should learn from the fighters, and when they have made other people's experience their own, they will become more capable.

“A Talk to the Editorial Staff of the Shansi-Suiyuan Daily” (April 2, 1948), Selected Works, Vol. IV, p. 243.

If there is to be revolution, there must be a revolutionary party. Without a revolutionary party, without a party built on the Marxist-Leninist revolutionary theory and in the Marxist-Leninist revolutionary style, it is impossible to lead the working class and the broad masses of the people in defeating imperialism and its running dogs.

“Revolutionary Forces of the World Unite, Fight Against Imperialist Aggression!” (November 1948), Selected Works, Vol. IV, p. 284.

The enemy will not perish of himself. Neither will the Chinese reactionaries nor the aggressive forces of U.S. imperialism in China step down from the stage of history of their own accord.

“Carry the Revolution Through to the End” (December 30, 1948), Selected Works, Vol. IV, p. 301.

The commanders and fighters of the entire Chinese People's Liberation Army absolutely must not relax in the least their will to fight; any thinking that relaxes the will to fight and belittles the enemy is wrong.

“Report to the Second Plenary Session of the Seventh Central Committee of the Communist Party of China” (March 5, 1949), Selected Works, Vol. IV, p. 361.

After the enemies with guns have been wiped out, there will still be enemies without guns; they are bound to struggle desperately against us, and we must never regard these enemies lightly. If we do nor now raise and understand the problem in this way, we shall commit the gravest mistakes.

“Report to the Second Plenary Session of the Seventh Central Committee of the Communist Party of China” (March 5, 1949), Selected Works, Vol. IV, p. 364.

We can learn what we did not know. We are not only good at destroying the Old World, we are also good at building the new.

“Report to the Second Plenary Session of the Seventh Central Committee of the Communist Party of China” (March 5, 1949), Selected Works, Vol. IV, p. 374.

“Exchange information.” This means that members of a Party committee should keep each other informed and exchange views on matters that have come to their attention. This is of great importance in achieving a common language. Some fail to do so and, like the people described by Lao Tzu, “do not visit each other all their lives, though the crowing of their cocks and the barking of their dogs are within hearing of each other”. The result is that they lack a common language.

“Methods of Work of Party Committees” (March 13, 1949), Selected Works, Vol. IV, p. 378.

In all mass movements we must make a basic investigation and analysis of the number of active supporters, opponents and neutrals and must not decide problems subjectively and without basis.

“Methods of Work of Party Committees” (March 13, 1949), Selected Works, Vol. IV, p. 380.

Pay attention to uniting and working with comrades who differ with you. This should be borne in mind both in the localities and in the army. It also applies to relations with people outside the Party. We have come together from every corner of the country and should be good at uniting in our work not only with comrades who hold the same views as we but also with those who hold different views.

“Methods of Work of Party Committees” (March 13, 1949), Selected Works, Vol. IV

Guard against arrogance. For anyone in a leading position, this is a matter of principle and an important condition for maintaining unity. Even those who have made no serious mistakes and have achieved very great success in their work should not be arrogant.

“Methods of Work of Party Committees” (March 13, 1949), Selected Works, Vol. IV

Just because we have won victory, we must never relax our vigilance against the frenzied plots for revenge by the imperialists and their running dogs. Whoever relaxes vigilance will disarm himself politically and land himself in a passive position.

“Address to the Preparatory Committee of the New Political Consultative Conference” (June 15, 1949), Selected Works, Vol. IV, p. 407.

“Don't you want to abolish state power?” Yes, we do, but not right now. We cannot do it yet. Why? Because imperialism still exists, because domestic reaction still exists, because classes still exist in our country. Our present task is to strengthen the people's state apparatus - mainly the people's army, the people's police and the people's courts - in order to consolidate national defense and protect the people's interests.

“On the People's Democratic Dictatorship” (June 30, 1949), Selected Works, Vol. IV, p. 418.

The serious problem is the education of the peasantry. The peasant economy is scattered, and the socialization of agriculture, judging by the Soviet Union's experience, will require a long time and painstaking work. Without socialization of agriculture, there can be no complete, consolidated socialism.

“On the People's Democratic Dictatorship” June 30, 1949), Selected Works, Vol. IV, p. 419.

The People's democratic dictatorship needs the leadership of the working class. For it is only the working class that is most far-sighted, most selfless and most thoroughly revolutionary. The entire history of revolution proves that without the leadership of the working class revolution fails and that with the leadership of the working class revolution triumphs.

“On the People's Democratic Dictatorship” (June 30, 1949), Selected Works, Vol. IV, p. 421.

The People's democratic dictatorship is based on the alliance of the working class, the peasantry and the urban petty bourgeoisie, and mainly on the alliance of the workers and the peasants, because these two classes comprise 80 to go per cent of China's population. These two classes are the main force in overthrowing imperialism and the Kuomintang reactionaries. The transition from New Democracy to socialism also depends mainly upon their alliance.

“On the People's Democratic Dictatorship” (June 30, 1949), Selected Works, Vol. IV, p. 421.

Taught by mistakes and setbacks, we have become wiser and handle our affairs better. It is hard for any political party or person to avoid mistakes, but we should make as few as possible. Once a mistake is made, we should correct it, and the more quickly and thoroughly the better.

“On the People's Democratic Dictatorship” (June 30, 1949), Selected Works, Vol. IV, p. 422.

Classes struggle, some classes triumph, others are eliminated. Such is history; such is the history of civilization for thousands of years. To interpret history from this viewpoint is historical materialism; standing in opposition to this viewpoint is historical idealism.

“Cast Away Illusions, Prepare for Struggle” (August 14, 1949), Selected Works, Vol. IV, p. 428.

Post-Revolutionary Period: 1957

The unification of our country, the unity of our people and the unity of our various nationalities - these are the basic guarantees of the sure triumph of our cause.

On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People, (February 27, 1957). 1st pocket ed., pp. 1-2.

Two types of social contradictions - those between ourselves and the enemy and those among the people themselves confront us. The two are totally different in their nature.

On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People, (February 27, 1957), first pocket ed.. p. 2.

The contradictions between the enemy and us are antagonistic contradictions. Within the ranks of the people, the contradictions among the working people are non-antagonistic, while those between the exploited and the exploiting classes have a non-antagonistic aspect in addition to an antagonistic aspect.

On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People, (February 27, 1957), p. 3.

The organs of state must practice democratic centralism, they must rely on the masses and their personnel must serve the people.

On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People, (February 27, 1957), 1st pocket ed., p. 8.

Within the ranks of the people, democracy is correlative with centralism and freedom with discipline. They are the two opposites of a single entity, contradictory as well as united, and we should not one-sidedly emphasize one to the denial of the other. Within the ranks of the people, we cannot do without freedom, nor can we do without discipline; we cannot do without democracy, nor can we do without centralism. This unity of democracy and centralism, of freedom and discipline, constitutes our democratic centralism. Under this system, the people enjoy extensive democracy and freedom, but at the same time they have to keep within the bounds of socialist discipline.

On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People, (February 27, 1957), 1st pocket ed., pp. 10-11.

This democratic method of resolving contradictions among the people was epitomized in 1942 in the formula “unity, criticism, unity”. To elaborate, it means starting from the desire for unity, resolving contradictions through criticism or struggle and arriving at a new unity on a new basis. In our experience this is the correct method of resolving contradictions among the people.

On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People, (February 27, 1957), 1st pocket ed., p. 12.

In ordinary circumstances, contradictions among the people are not antagonistic. However, if they are not handled properly, or if we relax our vigilance and lower our guard, antagonism may arise. In a socialist country, a development of this kind is usually only a localized and temporary phenomenon. The reason is that the system of exploitation of man by man has been abolished and the interests of the people are the same.

On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People, (February 27, 1957), 1st pocket ed., p. 14.

Communists must use the democratic method of persuasion and education when working among the laboring people and must on no account resort to commandism or coercion. The Chinese Communist Party faithfully adheres to this Marxist-Leninist principle.

On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People, (February 27, 1957), 1st pocket ed., p. 15.

Marxist philosophy holds that the law of the unity of opposites is the fundamental law of the universe. This law operates universally, whether in the natural world, in human society, or in man's thinking. Between the opposites in a contradiction there is at once unity and struggle, and it is this that impels things to move and change. Contradictions exist everywhere, but they differ in accordance with the different nature of different things. In any given phenomenon or thing, the unity of opposites is conditional, temporary and transitory, and hence relative, whereas the struggle of opposites is absolute.

On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People, (February 27, 1957), 1st pocket ed., p. 18.

New things always have to experience difficulties and setbacks as they grow. It is sheer fantasy to imagine that the cause of socialism is all plain sailing and easy success, without difficulties and setbacks or the exertion of tremendous efforts.

On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People, (February 27, 1957), 1st pocket ed., pp. 32-33.

Our educational policy must enable everyone who receives an education to develop morally, intellectually and physically and become a worker with both socialist consciousness and culture.

On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People, (February 27, 1959), 1st pocket ed., p. 44.

By over-all planning, we mean planning which takes into consideration the interests of the 600 million people of our country. In drawing up plans, handling affairs or thinking over problems, we must proceed from the fact that China has a population of 600 million people, and we must never forget this fact.

On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People, (February 27, 1957), first pocket ed. p. 47.

Letting a hundred flowers blossom and a hundred schools of thought contend is the policy for promoting the progress of the arts and the sciences and a flourishing socialist culture in our land. Different forms and styles in art should develop freely and different schools in science should contend freely. We think that it is harmful to the growth of art and science if administrative measures are used to impose one particular style of art or school of thought and to ban another. Questions of right and wrong in the arts and sciences should be settled through free discussion in artistic and scientific circles and through practical work in these fields. They should not be settled in summary fashion.

On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People, (February 27, 1957), 1st pocket ed., pp. 49-50.

We must learn to look at problems all-sidedly, seeing the reverse as well as the obverse side of things. In given conditions, a bad thing can lead to good results and a good thing to bad results.

On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People, (February 27, 1957), 1st pocket ed., pp. 66-67.

Now, there are two different attitudes towards learning from others. One is the dogmatic attitude of transplanting everything, whether or not it is suited to our conditions. This is no good. The other attitude is to use our heads and learn those things that suit our conditions, that is, to absorb whatever experience is useful to us. That is the attitude we should adopt.

On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People, (February 27, 1957), 1st pocket ed., p. 75.

Post-Revolutionary Period: 1963

Where do correct ideas come from? Do they drop from the skies? No. Are they innate in the mind? No. They come from social practice and from it alone. They come from three kinds of social practice: the struggle for production, the class struggle and scientific experiment.

Where Do Correct ideas Come from?, (May 1963), 1st pocket ed., p. 1.

It is man's social being that determines his thinking. Once the correct ideas characteristic of the advanced class are grasped by the masses, these ideas turn into a material force which changes society and changes the world.

Where Do Correct ideas Come from?, (May 1963)

Often, correct knowledge can be arrived at only after many repetitions of the process leading from matter to consciousness and then back to matter, that is, leading from practice to knowledge and then back to practice. Such is the Marxist theory of knowledge, the dialectical materialist theory of knowledge.

Where Do Correct ideas Come from?, (May 1963) p. 3.