# Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-tung

> book of selected statements from speeches and writings by Mao Zedong

**Wikidata**: [Q36393](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q36393)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quotations_from_Chairman_Mao_Tse-tung)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/quotations-from-chairman-mao-tse-tung

## Summary
*Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-tung*, commonly known as *The Little Red Book*, is a compilation of selected statements from speeches and writings by Mao Zedong, the founder of the People's Republic of China and former chairman of the Chinese Communist Party. Published in 1964, it became a foundational ideological text during China's Cultural Revolution and remains one of the most widely distributed books in history.

## Key Facts
- **Title**: *Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-tung* (also known as *The Little Red Book*, *Quotations from Chairman Mao Zedong*, or *Little Red Book*).
- **Author**: Mao Zedong (1893–1976), the first chairman of the Chinese Communist Party and founder of the People's Republic of China.
- **Publication Date**: 1964.
- **Content**: A curated collection of excerpts from Mao’s speeches and writings, organized thematically.
- **Classification**: A literary work (read for enjoyment or edification) and an essay (written from the author’s personal perspective).
- **Associated Country**: People’s Republic of China (founded October 1, 1949).
- **Sitelink Count**: 49 (Wikidata), indicating its global recognition and documentation.
- **Aliases**: Includes *Quotations from Chairman Mao*, *Little Red Book*, and *Quotations from Chairman Mao Zedong*.

## FAQs

**What is *Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-tung*?**
It is a book compiling key statements from Mao Zedong’s speeches and writings, published in 1964. It served as a political and ideological guide during China’s Cultural Revolution and was widely distributed as a tool for propaganda and education.

**Who wrote *The Little Red Book*?**
The book consists of excerpts from Mao Zedong’s works, though the selection and compilation were overseen by the Chinese Communist Party. Mao himself did not author the book as a standalone work.

**When was *Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-tung* published?**
The first edition was released in 1964, during the early years of the Cultural Revolution in China.

**What is the significance of the book’s aliases?**
The book is commonly referred to as *The Little Red Book* due to its compact size and red cover, which became iconic symbols of Maoist ideology. Other aliases reflect its formal title and variations in translation.

**How is the book classified?**
It is categorized as both a literary work (for its educational and ideological content) and an essay (as it presents Mao’s personal perspectives on politics, war, and revolution).

## Why It Matters
*Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-tung* played a pivotal role in shaping modern Chinese politics and society. During the Cultural Revolution (1966–1976), it was mandatory reading for Chinese citizens, soldiers, and students, serving as a tool for indoctrination and ideological unity. Its mass distribution—estimated in the hundreds of millions—made it one of the most printed books in history, rivaling religious texts in influence. Beyond China, it became a symbol of global communist movements, reflecting Mao’s impact on 20th-century geopolitics. The book’s concise, aphoristic style made Maoist thought accessible to the masses, reinforcing his cult of personality and solidifying his legacy as a revolutionary leader.

## Notable For
- **Mass Distribution**: One of the most widely printed books in history, with estimates exceeding 900 million copies.
- **Cultural Revolution Icon**: Served as the ideological cornerstone of China’s Cultural Revolution, shaping political and social behavior.
- **Mao’s Cult of Personality**: Reinforced Mao Zedong’s status as an infallible leader, with quotes used to justify policies and suppress dissent.
- **Global Influence**: Translated into multiple languages and distributed worldwide, becoming a symbol of communist ideology beyond China.
- **Compact Design**: Its small, portable format (hence *Little Red Book*) made it easy to carry and reference, enhancing its ubiquity.
- **Thematic Organization**: Structured by topics (e.g., class struggle, war, revolution), making it a practical guide for political education.

## Body

### **Origins and Publication**
*Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-tung* was first published in 1964 by the People’s Liberation Army at the direction of China’s Defense Minister, Lin Biao. The book was initially intended as a morale-boosting tool for soldiers but quickly expanded into civilian life during the Cultural Revolution. Its content was drawn from Mao’s speeches, military writings, and political essays, curated to emphasize key tenets of Maoism, such as class struggle, revolutionary warfare, and the role of the peasantry.

### **Content and Structure**
The book is organized thematically, with chapters dedicated to subjects like "The Communist Party," "Classes and Class Struggle," and "War and Peace." Each section features short, memorable quotes designed for easy memorization and recitation. Unlike a traditional book, it functions more as a handbook or manual, reinforcing ideological conformity. The concise format made it accessible even to illiterate populations, as quotes were often read aloud in group settings.

### **Role in the Cultural Revolution**
During the Cultural Revolution (1966–1976), *The Little Red Book* became a ubiquitous symbol of loyalty to Mao and the Communist Party. Citizens were encouraged—or compelled—to carry it at all times, and public recitations of its passages were common. It was used to justify political purges, denounce "counter-revolutionaries," and promote collective adherence to Maoist thought. Schools, workplaces, and military units incorporated its teachings into daily life, making it a tool of social control.

### **Global Reach and Legacy**
Beyond China, the book gained international prominence as a symbol of anti-imperialism and revolutionary struggle. It was translated into dozens of languages and distributed by communist parties and leftist movements worldwide. In the West, it became a cultural artifact, often associated with 1960s radicalism. Despite its diminished political role in contemporary China, it remains a historical artifact of the Mao era, studied for its impact on propaganda, mass mobilization, and authoritarian governance.

### **Mao Zedong’s Influence**
Mao Zedong, the book’s central figure, was the founding leader of the People’s Republic of China (established October 1, 1949) and the architect of its communist policies. His writings, as compiled in *The Little Red Book*, reflected his theories on guerrilla warfare, peasant revolutions, and continuous class struggle. The book’s dissemination was part of a broader effort to deify Mao, portraying him as an infallible guide for China’s future.

### **Literary and Political Classification**
The work is classified as both a **literary work** (for its educational and persuasive function) and an **essay** (as it presents Mao’s subjective viewpoints). Unlike traditional essays, however, it lacks a single narrative or argument, instead serving as a reference tool for ideological instruction. Its inclusion in Wikidata under these categories highlights its dual role as propaganda and political literature.

### **Physical and Symbolic Design**
The book’s iconic red cover and pocket-sized dimensions were deliberate choices. The color red symbolized communism, while the small format ensured portability, allowing it to be carried in pockets or waved during rallies. This design contributed to its nickname, *The Little Red Book*, and its status as a visual emblem of Maoist China.

### **Comparisons to Other Ideological Texts**
While similar to other political manifestos (e.g., *The Communist Manifesto* by Marx and Engels), *Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-tung* stands out for its brevity, accessibility, and focus on practical application. Unlike theoretical works, it was designed for immediate, everyday use, reinforcing its role as a tool for mass indoctrination rather than academic study.

### **Decline and Modern Perception**
After Mao’s death in 1976 and the end of the Cultural Revolution, the book’s influence waned as China shifted toward economic reforms under Deng Xiaoping. Today, it is primarily viewed as a historical document, though it retains symbolic value among certain communist groups. In China, it is sometimes sold as a curiosity or collector’s item, stripped of its former political power.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. BBC Things
4. Goodreads