Serve the People

Our Communist Party and the Eighth Route and New Fourth Armies under its leadership belong to the camp of revolution. This camp devotes itself to the liberation of the people and works entirely for their interests. Comrade Chang Szu-the belonged to our camp.

Death awaits all men but its significance varies with various persons. The ancient Chinese writer Szuma Ch’ien said: “Although death befalls all men alike, in significance it may be weightier than Mount Tai or lighter than a swan’s down.” In significance, to die for the interests of the people is weightier than Mount Tai, but to work hard and die for the fascists, for those who exploit and oppress the people, is lighter than a swan’s down. Comrade Chang Szu-teh died for the interests of the people, and his death is indeed weightier in significance than Mount Tai.

If we have shortcomings, we are not afraid to have them pointed out and subjected to criticism, because we are serving the people. Anyone may do this to us, no matter who he is. So long as he is right, we will correct ourselves immediately. If what he proposes will benefit the people, we will accept it. The idea of “picked troops and simplified administration”, for example, was put forward by Mr. Li Ting-ming, a non-Party man; since he made a good suggestion that would benefit the people, we have adopted it. If, in the interests of the people, we persist in doing what is good as well as rectifying what is wrong, out camp will surely thrive.

We come from all corners of the country, and have met together on the road leading to a common revolutionary goal. Along this road we shall yet march with the vast majority of the Chinese people. Today, we are already exercising leadership over a population of 91 million in the base areas, but this is not enough, and to liberate the entire nation the number must be further increased. In times of difficulty our comrades must be able to see our achievements and the bright side of things and screw up their courage. Since the Chinese people are suffering and we have the duty to save them, we must exert ourselves in struggle. Struggle necessarily entails sacrifice, and death is a common occurrence. But if we keep in mind the interest of the people and the sufferings of the great majority, then we see that to die for the people’s sake is to die a worthy death. Nevertheless, we ought to avoid as much as possible unnecessary sacrifices. Our cadres should be concerned about every soldier, and all people in the revolutionary ranks should care for each other and love and help each other.

From now on, if anyone in our ranks who has done some good work passes away, there should be a funeral procession and a memorial meeting to render him honour, whether he is a cook or a soldier. This should become a regular practice. When someone dies in a village, hold a memorial meeting for him. This will serve to express our mourning for the deceased and to unite all the people.

                             September 8, 1944

Selected Works of Mao Tse-Tung

Volume Four

London

Lawrence& Wishart LTD

1956