"All political power comes from the barrel of a gun. The communist party must command all the guns, that way, no guns can ever be used to command the party."
Mao Zedong
Politician, Revolutionary
Mao Zedong was a Chinese revolutionary leader and the founding father of the People's Republic of China, known for his role in the Communist Party and the Cultural Revolution.
- Born
- December 26, 1893
- Died
- September 9, 1976
- Quotes
- 287
- Rank
- #208
About Mao Zedong
Mao Zedong — Life and Legacy
Mao Zedong, a pivotal figure in 20th-century history, was the founding father of the People's Republic of China and a key leader of the Chinese Communist Party. His ideas, encapsulated in works like the 'Little Red Book,' emphasize the importance of revolution and the role of the masses in shaping society. Mao famously asserted that 'political power grows out of the barrel of a gun,' reflecting his belief in the necessity of armed struggle for achieving political change. This perspective not only defined his leadership style but also challenged existing norms of governance and social order. Mao's core philosophy revolved around the idea that continuous struggle is essential for progress. He stated, 'Without struggle, there is no progress,' which underscores his conviction that societal transformation requires persistent effort and sacrifice. His approach to leadership was deeply rooted in the belief that the peasantry could lead the revolution, a notion that reshaped the class dynamics in China and emphasized collective action over individualism. The impact of Mao's quotes and ideas continues to resonate today, as they provoke discussions about power, governance, and the role of the individual within society. His legacy, marked by both revolutionary zeal and controversy, invites reflection on the complexities of leadership and the enduring struggle for social change.
Quote collection
Mao Zedong quotes (page 1 of 15)
287 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"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."
"Deaths have benefits. They can fertilise the ground."
"Maybe you're afraid of sinking. Don't think about it. If you don't think about it, you won't sink. If you do, you will."
"Civilize the mind but make savage the body."
"What is work? Work is struggle. There are difficulties and problems in those places for us to overcome and solve. We go there to work and struggle to overcome these difficulties. A good comrade is one who is more eager to go where the difficulties are greater."
"All genuine knowledge originates in direct experience."
"Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun."
"To Be Attacked by the Enemy Is Not a Bad Thing but a Good Thing."
"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."
"Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love."
"Don't make a fuss about a world war. At most, people die... Half the population wiped out - this happened quite a few times in Chinese history... It's best if half the population is left, next best one-third."
"In time of difficulties, we must not lose sight of our achievements."
"Enable every woman who can work to take her place on the labour front, under the principle of equal pay for equal work."
"We must learn to do economic work from all who know how, no matter who they are. We must esteem them as teachers, learning from them respectfully and conscientiously. We must not pretend to know when we do not know."
"We are indebted to Marx, Engels, Lenin and Stalin for giving us a weapon. The weapon is not a machine-gun, but Marxism-Leninism."
"The people, and the people alone, are the motive force in the making of world history."
"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."
"When the enemy advances, withdraw; when he stops, harass; when he tires, strike; when he retreats, pursue."
"Don't wait untill problems pile up and cause a lot of trouble before trying to solve them. Leaders must march ahead the movement, not lag behind it."