Quotations from Chairman Mao Zedong

Researched by Yas Kulyk.

Most commonly published like this:

Some facts about Mao himself.

Mao Zedong (Mao Tse-tung) (December 26 1893 – September 9, 1976) was a Chinese military and political leader who led the Communist Party of China (CPC) to victory against the Kuomintang (KMT) in the Chinese Civil War, and was the leader of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) from its establishment in 1949 until his death in 1976. Regarded as one of the most important figures in modern world history, and named by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century, Mao remains a controversial figure to this day. He is generally held in high regard in mainland China where he is often portrayed as a great revolutionary and strategist who eventually defeated Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek in the Chinese Civil War and transformed the country into a major power through his policies. However, many of Mao's socio-political programs, such as the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution, are blamed by critics from both within and outside China for causing severe damage to the culture, society, economy, and foreign relations of China, as well as a probable death toll in the tens of millions.

cont Although still officially venerated in China, his influence has been

largely overshadowed by the political and economic reforms of Deng Xiaoping and other leaders since his death. Mao is also recognized as a poet and calligrapher.

1st Chairman of the Communist Party of China In office 1943 – 1974 Preceded by Zhang Wentian (as General Secretary of the Communist Party of China) Succeeded by Hua Guofeng 1st President of the People's Republic of China In office September 27, 1954 – December 1958 Preceded by Position Created Succeeded by Liu Shaoqi 1st Chairman of the Central Military Commission

cont In office 1943 – 1976 Preceded by Position Created Succeeded by Hua Guofeng 1st Chairman of the CPPCC In office October 1, 1949 – 1954 Preceded by Position Created Succeeded by Zhou Enlai

Born 26 December 1893 Hunan, Chinese Empire Died 9 September 1976 (aged 82) Beijing, People's Republic of China Nationality Chinese Political party Communist Party of China Spouse Yang Kaihui (1920–1930) He Zizhen (1930–1937) Jiang Qing (1939–1976)

Little red book

Quotations from Chairman Mao Zedong , better known in the West as The Little Red Book, was published by the Government of the People's Republic of China from April 1964 until approximately 1976. As its title implies, it is a collection of quotations excerpted from Mao Zedong's past speeches and publications. The book's alternative title The Little Red Book was coined by the West for its pocket-sized edition, which was specifically printed and sold to facilitate easy carrying. The closest equivalent in Chinese is (hong baoshu), literally "The Red Treasured Book", which was a term popular during the Cultural Revolution. "Little Red Book" in Chinese would be (xiao hongshu).

Author: Mao ZedongOriginal title: Mao zhuxi yulu'Country People's Republic of ChinaLanguage: ChineseGenre(s): Political theoryPublisher: Government of the People's Republic of ChinaPublication date: April 1964Media type: Print (Hardback & Paperback)

Possibly the most printed book in history, Quotations had an estimated 5 to 6.5 billion copies printed during Mao's attempt to transform Chinese society. The book's phenomenal popularity may be due to the fact that it was essentially an unofficial requirement for every Chinese citizen to own, to read, and to carry it at all times during the later half of Mao's rule, especially during the Cultural Revolution. At the height of the period, for people out of favor with the Communist party, the punishment for failing to produce the book upon demand ranged from being beaten on the spot by Red Guards to being given years of hard-labor imprisonment.During the Cultural Revolution, studying the book was not only required in schools but was also a standard practice in the workplace as well. All units, in the industrial, commercial, agricultural, civil service, and military sectors, organized group sessions for the entire workforce to study the book during working hours. Quotes from Mao were either bold-faced or highlighted in red, and almost all writing, including scientific essays, had to quote Mao.

Quotations. Chapters 1-4 1 13 The Communist Party The Chinese Communist Party

is the core of the Chinese revolution, and its principles are based on Marxism-Leninism. Party criticism should be carried out within the Party.

2 22 Classes and Class StruggleThe revolution, and the recognition of class and class struggle, are necessary for peasants and the Chinese people to overcome both domestic and foreign enemy elements. This is not a simple, clean, or quick struggle.

3 28 Socialism and Communism Socialism must be developed in China, and the route toward such an end is a democratic revolution, which will enable socialist and communist consolidation over a length of time. It is also important to unite with the middle peasants, and educate them on the failings of capitalism.

4 16 The Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the PeopleThere are at least two basic kinds of contradiction: the

antagonistic contradictions which exist between communist countries and their capitalist neighbors and between the people and the enemies of the people, and the contradictions among the people themselves, people unconvinced of China's new path, which should be dealt with in a democratic and non-antagonistic fashion.

5-8 5 21 War and Peace War is a continuation of politics, and

there are at least two types: just (progressive) and unjust wars, which only serve bourgeois interests. While no one likes war, we must remain ready to wage just wars against imperialist agitations.

6 10 Imperialism and All Reactionaries Are Paper TigersU.S. imperialism, and European and domestic reactionary forces, represent real dangers, and in this respect are like real tigers. However, because the goal of Chinese communism is just, and reactionary interests are self-centered and unjust, after struggle, they will be revealed to be much less dangerous than they were earlier perceived to be.

7 10 Dare to Struggle and Dare to Win Fighting is unpleasant, and the people of China would prefer not to do it at all. At the same time, they stand ready to wage a just struggle of self-preservation against reactionary elements, both foreign and domestic.

8 10 People's War China's masses are the greatest conceivable weapon for fighting against Japanese imperialism and domestic reactionaries. Basic strategic points for war against the Kuomintang are also enumerated.

9-12 9 8 The People's Army The people's army is

not merely an organ for fighting; it is also an organ for the political advancement of the Party, as well as of production.

10 14 Leadership of Party Committees Internal life of the Party is discussed. Committees are useful to avoid monopolization by others, and Party members must demonstrate honesty, openness in discussing problems, and the ability to learn and multitask.

11 22 The Mass LineThe mass line represents the creative and productive energies of the masses of the Chinese population, which are potentially inexhaustible. Party members should take their cue from the masses, and reinterpret policy with respect to the benefit of the masses.

12 21 Political Work It is necessary for intellectuals, students, soldiers and the average peasant to pay attention and involve themselves with political work. This is particularly true in wartime.

13-20 13 7 Relations Between Officers and Men Non-antagonistic and

democratic relations between officers and men make for a stronger army. 14 6 Relations Between the Army and the People An army that

is cherished and respected by the people, and vice versa, is a nearly invincible force. The army and the people must unite on the grounds of basic respect.

15 8 Democracy in the Three Main Fields Democracy and honesty play roles in the reform of the army, as well as in the life of the Party, and of cadres. "Ultra-democracy", which is defined as an individualistic bourgeois aversion to discipline, is to be avoided.

16 9 Education and the Training of Troops Education must have a practical and political basis for the army, Party and cadres. Along democratic lines, it will also be possible for the officers to teach the soldiers, for the soldiers to teach the officers, and for the soldiers to teach each other.

17 9 Serving the People It is the duty of the cadres and the Party to serve the people. Without the people's interests constantly at heart, their work is useless.

18 7 Patriotism and Internationalism The patriotism of a communist nation and an internationalist sympathy for just struggles in other countries are in no way exclusive; on the contrary, they are linked deeply, as communism spreads throughout the world. At the same time, it is important for a country to retain modesty, and shun arrogance.

19 8 Revolutionary Heroism The same limitless creative energy of the masses is also visible in the army, in their fighting style and indomitable will.

20 8 Building Our Country Through Diligence and FrugalityChina's road to modernization will be built on the principles of diligence and frugality. Nor will it be legitimate to relax if, 50 years later, modernization is realized on a mass scale.

21-25 21 13 Self-Reliance and Arduous Struggle It is necessary for

China to become self-reliant in the course of the revolution, along the usual lines of class struggle. At the same time, it is a mistake for individuals to only see the good or the bad in a system, to the exclusion of all else.

22 41 Methods of Thinking and Methods of Work Marxist dialectical materialism, which connotes the constant struggle between opposites in an empirical setting, is the best method toward constant improvement. Objective analysis of problems based on empirical results is at a premium.

23 9 Investigation and Study It is necessary to investigate both the facts and the history of a problem in order to study and understand it.

24 15 Correcting Mistaken Ideas Arrogance, lack of achievement after a prosperous period, selfishness, shirking work, and liberalism, are all evils to be avoided in China's development. Liberalism is taken to mean that one may avoid conflict or work in order to be more comfortable for the moment, while the problem continues to grow.

25 5 Unity Unity of the masses, the Party and the whole country is essential. At the same time, criticism may take place along comradely lines, while at the same time a basic unity is felt and preserved. This is the dialectical method.

16-30 26 5 Discipline Discipline is seen not to be

exclusive to democratic methods. Basic points of military conduct are also enumerated.

27 15 Criticism and Self-Criticism Criticism is a part of the Marxist dialectical method which is central to Party improvement; as such, communists must not fear it, but engage in it openly.

28 18 Communists A communist must be selfless, with the interests of the masses at heart. He must also possess a largeness of mind, as well as a practical, far-sighted mindset.

29 11 Cadres Cadres, the instrument for uniting with and working for the people, must be leaders versed in Marxist-Leninism. They must have both guidance and the freedom to use their creative inititave in solving problems. Newer cadres and older cadres must work together with a comradely respect, learning from each other.

30 7 Youth The Chinese Youth represent an active, vital force in China, to be drawn upon. At the same time, it is necessary to educate them, and for the Youth League to give special attention to their problems and interests.

31-33

31 7 Women Women represent a great productive force in China, and equality among the sexes is one of the goals of communism. The multiple burdens which women must shoulder are to be eased.

32 8 Culture and Art Literature and art are discussed with respect to communism, in an orthodox fashion.

33 16 StudyIt is the responsibility of all to cultivate themselves, and study Marxism-Leninism deeply. It is also necessary for people to turn their attention to contemporary problems, along empirical lines.

Conclusion Communistic regime of China once again proved that it is

impossible in modern society to create a true Marxist communistic order. As well as Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin before, and Fidel Castro after him, Mao Zedong violated some of the most important rules of communist building, established by Marx. The only thing that China got out of the years of Mao’s rule: ruins, lots of victims and years of dictatorship. Even now, being the largest exporter of production on world market, chinese system remains far more totalitarian that in Russia or Cuba. The only match for it can be the Soviet Union. Though China did not even give proper education and oppressed all intellectuals.

All of us must know this and build better world, writing other “little books” contest of which would be applied more properly to the circumstances of our time.