History is a mirror. Mao Zedong's five ways to success are rich in political wisdom. Mao Zedong was a monumental figure who not only transformed China but also influenced the course of world history, becoming an unparalleled national hero of the Chinese nation, hailed as the greatest among great men. So, what were the secrets behind his success? In my view, Mao Zedong's success can be attributed to four major secrets:
The first secret to success is having a strong body. A robust physique is the capital for shouldering great responsibilities. To achieve grand aspirations, Mao Zedong placed great emphasis on physical exercise from his youth, believing that the body is the carrier of knowledge and the dwelling of morality. Thus, Mao never neglected physical training. His first method of sports exercise was cold water baths, along with wind baths, rain baths, snow baths, and sun baths. However, swimming was the sport that Mao loved and excelled at throughout his life, from childhood through old age. Physical exercise made Mao's towering 1.83-meter frame even stronger, enhancing both his mental and physical capabilities. The reason Mao could shoulder the great historical mission and accomplish earth-shattering feats was not only due to his extraordinary talent and strong will but also benefited from his robust physique. A strong body was the fundamental key to Mao's success.
The second secret to success is diligent study and perseverance. From his youth, Mao Zedong worked hard to do great things, vowing to overturn and reform society. For this, he studied diligently, exploring the vast ocean of learning and climbing the mountain of books with unwavering dedication. He once said: My greatest lifelong hobby is reading; I can go a day without eating or sleeping, but I cannot go a day without reading. Regarding traditional Chinese classics, folklore, local Hunan culture, Kang Youwei and Liang Qichao's reformist ideas, and Western evolution theories like those of Huxley, he absorbed them all inclusively. Mao's attitude towards reading was not rote memorization or blind adherence to books but rather using them for his purposes. His remarkable ability lay in mastering and applying the knowledge he acquired, making ancient wisdom serve present needs, adapting foreign concepts for domestic use, drawing on the essence of Western culture, and dialectically integrating the profound aspects of Chinese traditional culture. He used Marxism-Leninism as his guiding ideology and theoretical foundation while considering Chinese traditional culture as the spiritual nourishment and ideological soil for Sinicizing Marxism. This is what distinguished Mao from others. Extensive historical knowledge laid a deep academic foundation for Mao to achieve his grand ambitions.
The third secret to success is familiarity with national conditions and precise mastery. Coming from a farming family, Mao himself participated in agricultural labor from a young age, working almost as a full laborer by the age of 13. Seventeen years of rural life allowed him to understand the hardships of farmers, familiarize himself with rural society, cultivate deep feelings for the peasants, and resolve to stand by the suffering masses and seek benefits for the broad peasantry. This provided favorable conditions for his future research into Chinese issues and his skill in combining Marxist-Leninist theory with Chinese practice. It must be understood that China is a country where farmers constitute the majority, and the social structure is heavily composed of farmers. Conducting a bourgeois democratic revolution under the leadership of the proletariat in such a country means addressing peasant issues holds significant importance. As he later pointed out: What we call the masses mainly refers to the peasants. What we call a people's war is essentially a peasant war. Without remembering the peasants, there would be no bourgeois democratic revolution, nor any complete revolution. Despite reading many Marxist texts, it is crucial not to forget the word 'peasants.' Even if one reads a million Marxist books, it would be useless if the word 'peasants' is forgotten.
The fourth secret to success is keeping pace with the times and forging new paths. Mao kept up with the times, studying and researching Marxist-Leninist theories not merely for the sake of theory or dogma but to find positions, perspectives, and methods to address practical and strategic issues of the Chinese revolution. He summarized revolutionary experiences to guide and formulate accurate goals and objectives, making scientific theoretical generalizations. Stalin once said: Lenin's greatness lies in his not being a captive of Marxism but adept at grasping the essence of Marxism and moving forward from that essence to develop Marx and Engels' teachings. Mao shared similar fundamental qualities with Lenin. Mao's exceptional insight is also prominently displayed in his military strategy and acumen. Mao never attended a military academy yet became a master of warfare, leading troops brilliantly without ever carrying a gun. The theory that "political power grows out of the barrel of a gun" was first proposed by Mao, yet he seemed particularly fond of writing. During the Long March, He Zizhen specially made him a multi-pocketed bag capable of holding many pens and inkstones. He joked, saying, "I will use the Four Treasures of the Study to defeat the four big families of the Kuomintang." His command artistry was nothing short of magical, extremely rare even in Chinese history. Mao's military acumen wasn't a collection of sudden flashes of inspiration but consisted of an entire set of theories. His brilliant strategies were not tinged with luck but based on specific, in-depth analysis and insight into the situation of both enemies and allies.
The fifth secret to success is summarizing experiences and uniting collective efforts. Mao Zedong was a wise philosopher who excelled at summarizing experiences and gathering the wisdom and creativity of the masses. On August 29, 1964, during a visit by the Nepalese Education Delegation, a member asked: "What is the great secret behind your success? What is the source of your strength? Please tell us so that we may learn a little from you." Mao replied, "I have no great secrets, just learned a bit of knowledge from the common people." Although we have learned a bit of Marxism, it alone is insufficient. We need to study Chinese characteristics and realities to address Chinese problems. He further stated, "The source of strength is the masses. If we do not respond to the demands of the masses, none of us will succeed. We must gain knowledge from the masses, formulate policies, and then educate the masses." Mao's words revealed the secret to his lifelong success: excelling at summarizing experiences and gathering collective wisdom. Related articles: [02/17] The secret to success is never complaining.