Mao Zedong

Founder of People's Republic of China

Modern influential 115 sayings

Sayings by Mao Zedong

The greatest danger is not to take the risk.

c. 1950s — Attributed, often cited as a motivational quote.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

When we say 'imperialism is terrible,' we mean that its nature is terrible, but it is not terrible in appearance.

1964 — Talk with Guests from Asia, Africa and Latin America
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

A single spark can start a prairie fire.

1930 — A Single Spark Can Start a Prairie Fire
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

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

1938 — Problems of War and Strategy
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

We must despise the enemy strategically but take him seriously tactically.

1957 — Speech at the Moscow Conference of Communist and Workers' Parties
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The atom bomb is nothing to be afraid of. China has a population of 600 million people. Even if half of them are killed, there are still 300 million people left. The world is yours to conquer.

1957 — Speech to the Supreme State Conference, later published in 'Mao Zedong on Diplomacy'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

We must oppose all tendencies to overestimate ourselves and underestimate the enemy.

1938 — On Protracted War
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The atom bomb is a paper tiger which the U.S. reactionaries use to scare people. It looks terrible, but in fact it isn't.

1946 — Interview with American journalist Anna Louise Strong
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

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.

1927 — Report on an Investigation of the Peasant Movement in Hunan
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The world is yours, as well as ours, but in the last analysis, it is yours.

1957 — Speech to Chinese students in Moscow
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Reading is learning, but applying is also learning and the more important kind of learning at that.

1937 — On practice
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

There is no construction without destruction.

1958 — On revolutionary change
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

To read too many books is harmful.

1960s — Remark during the Cultural Revolution
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

The countryside must learn from the cities, and the cities must learn from the countryside.

1966 — On urban-rural relations
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

We must not be afraid of ghosts. We must not be afraid of the United States imperialists. We must not be afraid of the atom bomb. We must not be afraid of anything. We must dare to fight and dare to win.

1958 — Speech at the Second Session of the Eighth National Congress of the Communist Party of China
Controversial Unverifiable

Let the United States and all the reactionaries abroad tremble! Let them say that we are no good and that we are 'totalitarians.' They are too stupid to see our strength. Their fear is useless. They know nothing of our invincible strength. The Chinese people have stood up!

1949 — Opening address at the First Plenary Session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conferen…
Controversial Unverifiable

In order to attack the forces of the counter-revolution, it is necessary to carry out a reign of terror.

Undated, likely 1920s-1930s — Attributed, often cited in historical analyses of the Chinese Revolution.
Controversial Unverifiable

With regard to the question of the extermination of the landlord class, some people ask: Is it not too cruel? We answer: No, it is not. The landlords are a parasitic class, they have exploited and oppressed the peasants for thousands of years. They are not human beings, they are monsters.

Undated, likely 1940s-1950s — Attributed, often cited in analyses of land reform policies.
Controversial Unverifiable

Going too far is as bad as not going far enough.

Undated — Attributed, often cited in discussions of political strategy, also a common Chinese proverb.
Controversial Unverifiable

There is in the world no such thing as love without cause or hatred without cause.

1942 — Talks at the Yenan Forum on Literature and Art
Controversial Unverifiable