Quotations of Chairman Mao Tse-tung

Chairman Mao Tse-tung made numerous comments on farmers over the years, reflecting their crucial role in the revolution and socialist construction. Here are some of his remarks in Chinese, presented with context where available:

• During the early revolutionary period (pre-1949):

  • In his "Report on an Investigation of the Peasant Movement in Hunan" (1927), Mao highlighted the immense power and potential of the peasant movement:

    “目前农民运动的兴起是一个极大的问题。很短的时间内，将有几万万农民从中国中部、南部和北部各省起来，其势如暴风骤雨，迅猛异常，无论什么大的力量都将压抑不住。他们将冲决一切束缚他们的罗网，朝着解放的路上迅跑。一切帝国主义、军阀、贪官污吏、土豪劣绅，都将被他们葬入坟墓。一切革命的党派、革命的同志，都将在他们面前受他们的检验而决定弃取。站在他们的前头领导他们呢？还是站在他们的后头指手画脚地批评他们呢？还是站在他们的对面反对他们呢？每个中国人对于这三项都有选择的自由，不过时局将强迫你迅速地选择罢了。”

    This passage emphasizes the revolutionary force of the peasantry and the inevitability of their liberation. It poses a challenge to all political forces to align themselves with this powerful movement.

  • In "The Chinese Revolution and the Chinese Communist Party" (1939), Mao underscored the historical significance of peasant uprisings in China:

    “地主阶级对于农民的残酷的经济剥削和政治压迫，迫使农民多次地举行反抗他们的统治的起义。……只有农民的阶级斗争、农民的起义和农民战争，才是中国封建社会历史发展的真正动力。”

    Here, Mao identifies peasant class struggle as the driving force of historical development in Chinese feudal society.

  • Mao also recognised the economic vulnerability of poor peasants and the necessity of uniting with middle peasants while relying on the poor peasants:

    “依靠什么人去团结中农，实现整个农村的社会主义改造呢？当然只有贫农。在过去向地主作斗争、实行土地改革的时候是这样，在现在向富农和其他资本主义因素作斗争实行农业的社会主义改造的时候，也是这样。在两个革命时期，中农在开始阶段都是动摇的。等到看清了大势，革命将要胜利的时候，中农才会参加到革命方面来。贫农必须向中农做工作，把中农团结到自己方面来，使革命一天一天地扩大，直到取得最后的胜利。”

    This highlights the central role of poor peasants in uniting with other sections of the rural population for revolutionary change.

• During the period of socialist transformation (post-1949):

  • Mao stressed the importance of socialising agriculture for the consolidation of socialism:

    “严重的问题是教育农民。农民的经济是分散的，根据苏联的经验，需要很长的时间和细心的工作，才能做到农业社会化。没有农业社会化，就没有全部的巩固的社会主义。”

    This indicates Mao's view that the collectivisation of agriculture was a fundamental requirement for building a strong socialist society.

  • He noted the enthusiasm of the peasantry for socialism:

    “群众中蕴藏了一种极大的社会主义的积极性。那些在革命时期还只会按照常规走路的人们，对于这种积极性一概看不见。他们是瞎子，在他们面前出现的只是一片黑暗。他们有时简直要闹到颠倒是是非、混淆黑白的程度。这种人难道我们遇见得还少吗？这些只会循着常规走路的人们，老是对于人民的积极性估计过低。一种新事物出现，他们总是不赞成，首先反对一气。随后就是认输，做一点自我批评。第二种新事物出现，他们又按照这两种态度循环一遍。以后各种新事物出现，都按照这个格式处理。这种人老是被动，在紧要的关头老是止步不前，老是需要别人在他的背上击一猛掌，才肯向前跨进一步。”

    This quote emphasizes Mao's belief in the inherent socialist drive of the masses, particularly the peasants, and criticises those who underestimate it.

  • Mao also addressed the tendency towards capitalism among wealthier peasants:

    “富裕农民中的资本主义倾向是严重的。只要我们在合作化运动中，乃至以后一个很长的时期内，稍微放松了对于农民的政治工作，资本主义倾向就会泛滥起来。”

    This shows Mao's awareness of the ongoing struggle between socialist and capitalist tendencies in the countryside and the need for continuous political work.

  • He emphasized the revolutionary nature of the agricultural co-operative movement:

    “目前农村中合作化的社会改革的高潮，有些地方已经到来，全国也即将到来。这是五亿多农村人口的大规模的社会主义的革命运动，带有极其伟大的世界意义。我们应当积极地热情地有计划地去领导这个运动，而不是用各种办法去拉它向后退。运动中免不了要出些偏差，这是可以理解的，也是不难纠正的。干部中和农民中存在的缺点或错误，只要我们积极地去帮助他们，就会克服或纠正。”

    This highlights the scale and significance of the co-operative movement as a socialist revolution in the countryside, emphasizing the need for active and positive leadership.

These quotes illustrate Mao's consistent focus on the peasantry as a fundamental revolutionary force and their critical role in both overthrowing the old order and building a new socialist society. His views evolved over time to address the specific challenges and tasks of different stages of the Chinese revolution.

Chairman Mao Tse-tung's comments on light industry

Light Industry

Based on the sources, Chairman Mao Tse-tung discussed light industry primarily in the context of its relationship with agriculture and the broader socialist transformation. Here are some of his remarks in Chinese:

• In "On the Question of Agricultural Co-operation" (1955), Mao emphasized the interconnectedness of the socialist transformation of handicrafts (often considered part of light industry) with agriculture and heavy industry:

  “我们现在不但正在进行关于社会制度方面的由私有制到公有制的革命，而且正在进行技术方面的由手工业生产到大规模现代化机器生产的革命，而这两种革命是结合在一起的。在农业方面，在我国的条件下（资本主义国家内是使农业资本主义化），则必须先有合作化，然后才能使用大机器。由此可见，我们对于工业和农业、社会主义的工业化和社会主义的农业改造这样两件事，决不可以分割起来和互相孤立起来去看，决不可以只强调一方面，减弱另一方面。”

  This passage highlights that Mao saw the transformation of handicrafts (手工业生产) as an integral part of the broader socialist revolution, alongside the collectivisation of agriculture and the development of modern machine production (which includes heavy industry). He stressed that these aspects should not be viewed in isolation.

• In the same speech, Mao further linked the development of handicrafts and light industry to the consolidation of the worker-peasant alliance and overall economic progress:

  “……统筹兼顾，是指对于六亿人口的统筹兼顾。我们作计划、办事、想问题，都要从我国有六亿人口这一点出发，千万不要忘记这一点。”

  “除了别的特点之外，中国六亿人口的显著特点是一穷二白。这些看起来是坏事，其实是好事。穷则思变，要干，要革命。一张白纸，没有负担，好写最新最美的文字，好画最新最美的画图。”

  While not directly mentioning light industry, the emphasis on the needs of the large population (六亿人口) and the idea of China being "poor and blank" (一穷二白) implies the need to develop industries, including those producing consumer goods, to meet the people's needs and improve their living standards. The reference to handicrafts in conjunction with large-scale industry suggests light industry's role in this context.

• In "Our Economic Policy" (1934), Mao mentioned the need to preserve means of livelihood (生活资料) during the struggle against the feudal system, which would include the products of handicrafts and light industry:

  “为了迅速地恢复和发展农业生产和市镇上的工业生产，在消灭封建制度的斗争中，必须注意尽一切努力最大限度地保存一切可用的生产资料和生活资料，采取办法坚决地反对任何人对于生产资料和生活资料的破坏和浪费，反对大吃大喝，注意节约。”

  Here, "industrial production in small towns" (市镇上的工业生产) likely refers to smaller-scale industries, including handicrafts and light industry, which were important for providing "means of livelihood" (生活资料) to the population.

Chairman Mao Tse-tung's comments on light industry and then heavy industry

Heavy Industry

Chairman Mao Tse-tung consistently emphasized the paramount importance of developing heavy industry for China's socialist construction and national strength. Here are some relevant quotes in Chinese:

• In "The Chinese Revolution and the Chinese Communist Party" (1939), Mao outlined the goal of transforming China from an agricultural country to an industrial one:

  “中国革命的对象，按照其社会性质，依然是帝国主义和封建主义。完成这个革命，才能造成由资本主义发展到社会主义的必要条件。中国革命的第一步是新民主主义的革命，在打倒帝国主义和封建势力之后，建立一个工人阶级领导的、以工农联盟为基础的人民共和国。这个共和国的经济，将采取新民主主义的政策，逐步地由农业国变为工业国。”

  This early statement clearly sets the direction for China to transition from an agricultural country to an industrial country (由农业国变为工业国) under the leadership of the working class, implying a focus on building an industrial base, which includes heavy industry.

• In "On Coalition Government" (1945), Mao explicitly linked the liberation of productive forces with the development of heavy industry:

  “社会主义革命的目的是为了解放生产力。农业和手工业由个体所有制变为社会主义的集体所有制，私营工商业由资本主义所有制变为社会主义所有制，必然使生产力大大地获得解放。这样就为大大地发展工业（例如重工业）创造了条件，这样也就使我国能够巩固国防，能够抵抗帝国主义的侵略，能够最后地消灭贫困，使人民富裕起来，过着幸福的生活。”

  Here, Mao states that the socialist transformation of ownership will create conditions for the great development of industry, "for example, heavy industry" (例如重工业). He connects this development to strengthening national defence, resisting imperialist aggression, eliminating poverty, and improving people's lives, highlighting the strategic importance of heavy industry.

• In his "Speech at the Supreme State Conference" (1956), Mao reiterated the dual revolution in social system and technology, emphasizing the shift to modern machine production:

  “我们现在不但正在进行关于社会制度方面的由私有制到公有制的革命，而且正在进行技术方面的由手工业生产到大规模现代化机器生产的革命，而这两种革命是结合在一起的。”

  The emphasis on "large-scale modern machine production" (大规模现代化机器生产) directly points towards the development of heavy industry as the foundation for technological advancement and industrialisation.

• In "On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People" (1957), Mao spoke of the need to build China into a socialist country with modern industry and agriculture:

  “专政的目的是为了保卫全体人民进行和平劳动，将我国建设成为一个具有现代工业、现代农业和现代科学文化的社会主义国家。”

  The goal of building a socialist country with "modern industry" (现代工业) underscores the central role of heavy industry in achieving national modernisation and socialist development.

• Mao also stressed the need for self-reliance (自力更生) in building the industrial base:

  “我们的方针要放在什么基点上？放在自己力量的基点上，叫做自力更生。我们并不孤立，全世界一切反对帝国主义的国家和人民都是我们的朋友。但是我们强调自力更生，我们能够依靠自己组织的力量，打败一切中外反动派。”

  While this quote speaks to overall self-reliance, in the context of transforming China into an industrial power, it implies that the development of heavy industry should primarily rely on China's own efforts and resources.

In summary, Mao viewed heavy industry as crucial for the socialist transformation of China, for developing the productive forces, strengthening national defence, and ultimately improving the lives of the people. He saw it as a key component of the technological revolution alongside the social revolution and emphasized the need for self-reliance in its development. He also recognized the interconnectedness of heavy industry with agriculture and light industry in building a comprehensive socialist economy.

The Military (军队)

Chairman Mao Tse-tung held a strong belief in the primacy of the Party's leadership over the military (党指挥枪). He saw the military as a crucial tool for achieving political goals and for serving the people. Here are some of his key ideas as expressed in the sources:

• Mao emphasised that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) is a fighting force but always under Party command:

  “我们的原则是党指挥枪，而决不容许枪指挥党。”
  “我全军将士必须时刻牢记，我们是伟大的人民解放军，是伟大的中国共产党领导的队伍。只要我们时刻遵守党的指示，我们就一定胜利。”
  “人民解放军永远是一个战斗队，就是在全国胜利以后，在我们国内阶级消灭和世界帝国主义制度消灭以前，我们的军队还是一个战斗队，在这个问题上是不能有丝毫的误解和动摇的。” \

  These quotes highlight the fundamental principle that the military must always be subordinate to the political leadership of the Communist Party. Its role as a "fighting force" (战斗队) is continuous, even after victory, until the complete elimination of internal classes and the global imperialist system.

• Mao stressed the importance of unity within the military and between the military and the people:

  “八路军的政治工作的基本原则有三个，即：第一、官兵一致的原则，……第二、军民一致的原则，……第三、瓦解敌军和宽待俘虏的原则。我们的胜利不但是依靠我军的作战，而且依靠敌军的瓦解。”
  “我们的军队必须在军民关系上、军政关系上、军党关系上、官兵关系上、军事工作和政治工作关系上、干部相互关系上，遵守正确的原则，决不可犯军阀主义的毛病。官长必须爱护士兵，不能漠不关心，不能采取肉刑；军队必须爱护人民，不能损害人民利益；军队必须尊重政府，尊重党，不能闹独立性。”
  “军队须和民众打成一片，使军队在民众中间生根，发芽，开花，结果；使民众自觉地把自己的一切力量供给军队，战胜我们共同的敌人。” \

  Mao identified unity between officers and men (官兵一致), unity between the army and the people (军民一致), and disintegrating the enemy forces and treating captives leniently as the three basic principles of the PLA's political work. He warned against "warlordism" (军阀主义) and emphasised the need for mutual respect and support between the army and the people, viewing the people as the soil in which the army can thrive.

• Mao recognised the crucial role of political work within the military:

  “那时（指一九二四——一九二七年第一次国内革命战争时期——编者）军队设立了党代表和政治部，这种制度是中国历史上没有的，靠了这种制度使军队一新其面目。一九二七年以后的红军以至今日的八路军，是继承了这种制度而加以发展的。”
  “在人民战争的基础上，在军队和人民团结一致、指挥员和战斗员团结一致以及瓦解敌军等项原则的基础上，人民解放军建立了自己强有力的革命的政治工作，这是我们战胜敌人的重大因素。”
  “政治工作是一切经济工作的生命线。在社会制度和社会经济制度发生根本变革的时期，尤其如此。” \

  Mao considered political work (政治工作) the "life-blood" (生命线) of all work, especially during times of significant social and economic change. The establishment of Party representatives and political departments was seen as a revolutionary development that transformed the army. Political education instilled class consciousness in soldiers and ensured their commitment to the revolutionary goals.

• Mao advocated for democratic practices within the military, especially during training and combat:

  “关于军事民主，必须在练兵时实行官兵互教，兵兵互教；在作战时，实行在火线上连队开各种大、小会。在连队首长指导下，发动士兵群众讨论如何攻克敌阵，如何完成战斗任务。”
  “我们练兵的口号是：‘官教兵，兵教官，兵教兵。’战士们有很多打仗的实际经验。当官的要向战士学习，把别人的经验变成自己的，他的本领就大了。” \

  He promoted military democracy (军事民主), including mutual teaching between officers and soldiers and soldier participation in discussing combat plans. This approach aimed to leverage the practical experience of the rank and file and foster a more effective fighting force.

Party Cadres (干部)

Chairman Mao Tse-tung viewed cadres as the decisive factor once the political line is determined (政治路线确定之后，干部就是决定的因素). He laid out specific criteria and expectations for Party cadres to ensure the success of the revolution and socialist construction:

• Mao defined the qualities of good cadres, emphasising adherence to the Party line, discipline, close ties with the masses, and selflessness:

  “共产党的干部政策，应是以能否坚决地执行党的路线，服从党的纪律，和群众有密切的联系，有独立的工作能力，积极肯干，不谋私利为标准，这就是‘任人唯贤’的路线。”
  “我们党的组织要向全国发展，要自觉地造就成万数的干部，要有几百个最好的群众领袖。这些干部和领袖懂得马克思列宁主义，有政治远见，有工作能力，富于牺牲精神，能独立解决问题，在困难中不动摇，忠心耿耿地为民族、为阶级、为党而工作。党依靠着这些人而联系党员和群众，依靠着这些人对于群众的坚强领导而达到打倒敌人之目的。这些人不要自私自利，不要个人英雄主义和风头主义，不要懒惰和消极性，不要自高自大的宗派主义，他们是大公无私的民族的阶级的英雄，这就是共产党员、党的干部、党的领袖应该有的性格和作风。” \

  According to Mao, good cadres should resolutely implement the Party line, observe Party discipline, maintain close links with the masses, possess independent working ability, be active and hardworking, and be selfless. He envisioned them as Marxist-Leninist, politically far-sighted, capable, self-sacrificing, independent, steadfast, and loyal servants of the nation, class, and Party, free from self-interest and arrogance.

• Mao stressed the importance of the mass line in the work of cadres:

  “必须学会‘从群众中来，到群众中去’的领导方法，必须养成善于听取群众意见的民主作风。”
  “我们历来主张革命要依靠人民群众，大家动手，反对只依靠少数人发号施令。但是在有些同志的工作中间，群众路线仍然不能贯彻，他们还是只靠少数人冷冷清清地做工作。其原因之一，就是他们做一件事情，总不愿意向被领导的人讲清楚，不懂得发挥被领导者的积极性和创造力。”
  “要联系群众，就要按照群众的需要和自愿。一切为群众的工作都要从群众的需要出发，而不是从任何良好的个人愿望出发。” \

  Cadres were expected to master the leadership method of "from the masses, to the masses" (从群众中来，到群众中去) and cultivate a democratic work style by listening to the masses. Mao criticised cadres who relied on a small number of people and failed to explain policies to the masses or encourage their initiative. He emphasised that all work for the masses should proceed from their actual needs and wishes.

• Mao highlighted the need for unity among cadres and a correct attitude towards those who make mistakes:

  “我们都是来自五湖四海，为了一个共同的革命目标，走到一起来了。……我们的干部要关心每一个战士，一切革命队伍的人都要互相关心，互相爱护，互相帮助。”
  “对于犯错误的干部，一般地应采取说服的方法。帮助他们改正错误。只有对犯了严重错误而又不接受指导的人们，才应当采取斗争的方法。在这里，耐心是必要的；轻易地给人们戴上‘机会主义’的大帽子，轻易地采用‘开展斗争’的方法，是不对的。” \

  He called for mutual care, love, and help among cadres who have come together for a common revolutionary goal. For cadres who make mistakes, the general approach should be persuasion and helping them to correct their errors, reserving struggle only for those who make serious mistakes and refuse guidance.

• Mao warned against arrogance, bureaucracy, and other undesirable traits in cadres:

  “艰苦的工作就像担子，摆在我们的面前，看我们敢不敢承担。担子有轻有重。有的人拈轻怕重，把重担子推给人家，自己拣轻的挑。这就不是好的态度。有的同志不是这样，享受让给人家，担子拣重的挑，吃苦在别人前头，享受在别人后头。这样的同志就是好同志。这种共产主义者的精神，我们都要学习。”
  “不少的人对工作不负责任，拈轻怕重，把重担子推给人家，自己挑轻的。一事当前，先替自己打算，然后再替别人打算。出了一点力就觉得了不起，喜欢自吹，生怕人家不知道。对同志对人民不是满腔热忱，而是冷冷清清，漠不关心，麻木不仁。这种人其实不是共产党员，至少不能算一个纯粹的共产党员。”
  “必须反对只顾自己不顾别人的本位主义的倾向。谁要是对别人的困难不管，别人要调他所属的干部不给，或以坏的送人，‘以邻为壑’，全不为别部、别地、别人想一想，这样的人就叫做本位主义者，这就是完全失掉了共产主义的精神。” \

  Mao criticised cadres who were irresponsible, preferred ease to hardship, were self-serving, boastful, and indifferent to comrades and the people. He also condemned "selfish departmentalism" (本位主义), where cadres prioritise the interests of their own unit over the greater good. He emphasised the importance of bearing hardships before others and enjoying comforts after them as a mark of a good communist.

The Common People (人民)

Chairman Mao Tse-tung placed immense faith in the power of the masses (人民群众) and consistently advocated for the Party to maintain close ties with them (联系群众). He viewed the people as the driving force of history and the foundation of the revolution and socialist construction:

• Mao believed that the people are the creators of history:

  “人民，只有人民，才是创造世界历史的动力。” \

  This famous quote encapsulates Mao's fundamental belief that the masses are the true makers of history and the source of all progress.

• Mao stressed the importance of the Party serving the people whole-heartedly (全心全意地为人民服务):

  “我们的出发点是为人民服务，全心全意地为人民服务，一刻也不脱离群众；一切从人民的利益出发，而不是从个人或小集团的利益出发；向人民负责和向党的领导机关负责的一致性。”
  “白求恩同志毫不利己专门利人的精神，表现在他对工作的极端的负责任，对同志对人民的极端的热忱。每个共产党员都要学习他。” \

  Serving the people "whole-heartedly and never for a moment divorcing ourselves from the masses" was a central tenet of Mao's thought. He held up individuals like Norman Bethune as examples of utter devotion to others without any thought of self, a spirit he expected every Communist to learn from.

• Mao emphasised the need for the Party to rely on the masses and to learn from them:

  “我们历来主张革命要依靠人民群众，大家动手，反对只依靠少数人发号施令。”
  “我们应该深刻地注意群众生活的问题，从土地、劳动问题，到柴米油盐问题。……一切这些群众生活上的问题，都应该放到自己的日程上来。”
  “要联系群众，就要按照群众的需要和自愿。一切为群众的工作都要从群众的需要出发，而不是从任何良好的个人愿望出发。”
  “我们共产党人好比种子，人民好比土地。我们到了一个地方，就要同那里的人民结合起来，在人民中间生根、开花。” \

  The revolution must rely on the masses taking a hand, not just a few issuing orders. The Party should pay close attention to the well-being of the masses and address their concerns, from fundamental issues to daily necessities. Connecting with the masses means acting according to their needs and will, not based on personal desires. Communists should integrate themselves with the people like seeds taking root in the soil.

• Mao highlighted the importance of the mass line in policy formation and implementation:

  “在我党的一切实际工作中，凡属正确的领导，必须是从群众中来，到群众中去。这就是说，将群众的意见（分散的无系统的意见）集中起来（经过研究，化为集中的系统的意见），又到群众中去作宣传，使群众的意见变成群众自己的主张，坚持下去，见到成效。”
  “善于把党的政策变为群众的行动，善于使我们的每一个运动，每一个斗争，不但领导干部懂得，而且广大的群众都能懂得，都能掌握，这是一项马克思列宁主义的领导艺术。” \

  The mass line involves taking the scattered ideas of the masses, concentrating them into correct policies, and then returning these policies to the masses so they become the people's own convictions and actions. A key skill of Marxist-Leninist leadership is ensuring that Party policies are understood and mastered by the broad masses.

• Mao recognised the dual nature of the people, including both progressive and backward elements, and the need for the Party to unite with the majority:

  “任何地方的群众，一般是先进的、中间的和落后的三部分人。故领导者必须善于团结少数先进分子作为领导的骨干，并凭借这批骨干去提高中间分子，争取落后分子。”
  “共产党人必须善于同群众的大多数（包括工、农、兵、学、商一切爱国的人们）一道工作。对于那些落后的人们，除了不可救药者外，不是采取排斥态度，而是采取规劝态度，使之翻然改进，弃旧图新。”
  “共产党员对于落后的人们的态度，不是轻视他们，看不起他们，而是亲近他们，团结他们，说服他们，鼓励他们前进。” \

  The masses consist of active, intermediate, and backward elements, and leaders must be skilled in uniting the active elements to elevate the intermediate and win over the backward. Communists should work with the vast majority of the people, including all patriots, and adopt a persuasive approach towards those who are backward, helping them to progress rather than excluding them.