Primary Source Document
with Questions (DBQs)
Q U O T A T I O N S F R O M C H A I R M A N M A O O N B E I N G A C O M M U N I S T I N
C H I N A ( 1 9 3 7 - 1 9 3 8 )
Introduction
Entering the Chinese Communist Party was, and still is, a difficult process. Applicants are expected to fulfill political,
moral, educational and professional criteria, which have, of course, varied (sometimes considerably) over the
tumultuous course of the Party’s history.
The following quotations represent Party Chairman Mao Zedong’s perspective on being a Communist.
Selected Excerpts with Questions
From The Little Red Book: Quotations From Chairman Mao (Beijing Foreign Languages Press, 1972).
Quotations
from
Chairman
Mao
on
Being
a
Communist
in
China
(1937‑1938)



“Communists
should
be
the
most
far‑sighted,
the
most
self‑sacrificing,
the
most
resolute,
and

the
least
prejudiced
in
sizing
up
situations,
and
should
rely
on
the
majority
of
the
masses
and

win
their
support.”

—
“The
Tasks
of
the
Chinese
Communist
Party
in
the
Period
of
Resistance
to
Japan,”
May
3,
1937



“At
no
time
and
in
no
circumstances
should
a
Communist
place
his
personal
interests
first;
he

should
subordinate
them
to
the
interests
of
the
nation
and
of
the
masses.
Hence,
selfishness,

slacking,
corruption,
seeking
the
limelight,
and
so
on,
are
most
contemptible,
while
selflessness,

working
with
all
one’s
energy,
whole‑hearted
devotion
to
public
duty,
and
quiet
hard
work
will

command
respect.”

—
“The
Role
of
the
Chinese
Communist
Party
in
the
National
War,”
October
1938



“Communists
should
set
an
example
in
being
practical
as
well
as
far‑sighted.
For
only
by
being

practical
can
they
fulfill
the
appointed
tasks,
and
only
far‑sightedness
can
prevent
them
from

losing
their
bearings
in
the
march
forward.”

—
“The
Role
of
the
Chinese
Communist
Party
in
the
National
War,”
October
1938



Primary Source Document with Questions (DBQs) on
QUOTATIONS FROM CHAIRMAN MAO ON BEING A COMMUNIST IN CHINA (1937-1938)
Asia for Educators l Columbia University l http://afe.easia.columbia.edu Page 2 of 2
Questions:
1. How would you describe, in your own words, the ideals of a Communist
Party member?
2. Is Mao’s own life and career a good example of the ideals expressed here?
Why or why not?
3. How do Mao’s ideals compare with those of Confucius and Mencius?