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Quotations by Mao Zedong

1. “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.” a. Revolution should not be taken as a joke. It is a serious matter. It’s a fierce rebellion against the government or the rulers, where one class overthrows another. It is always violent, and not gentle, or easy.

2. “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.” a. There is always struggles and deaths happening in a rebellion or a war. Moreover, if the sacrifice is done for the country, then it is worthy, but if it does not benefit the country, it should be not done.

3. “Protect the interests of the youth, women, and children – provide assistance to young students who cannot afford to continue their studies, help the youth and women to organize in order to participate on an equal footing in all work useful to the war effort and to social progress, ensure freedom of marriage and equality as between men and women, and giver young people and children a useful education…” a. All young people and women have their own rights to be equal as men, in terms of marriage, socially, and industrially. Also, everyone should be provided with education. Education should be provided to all classes, and needs to be useful and equal.

6. “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.” a. All correct and right ideas come from social experiences: the struggle for production, class struggle, and scientific experiment. These ideas just do not easily pop up.

7. “The world is yours, as well as ours, but in the last analysis, it is yours. You young people, full of vigor and vitality, are in the bloom of life, like the sun at eight or nine in the morning. Our hope is placed on you.” a. Young people are the future of the country. They are the hope, and the ones who would lead the country. The country’s future depends on them.