Speech at the Graduation Ceremony of the Third Brigade of the Third Term at the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University[1]

(March 15, 1938)

1. Respect the object. When dealing with the environment and handling work, one must respect the object. Whether it is an enemy or a friend, one should carefully examine and study it, and must not neglect it.

2. Understand the object. The greatest reason for lack of achievement in work is not seeking a thorough understanding, being careless, and wanting to solve problems after merely taking a general look at the surface and the form. This is wrong. Understanding should be sought within the specific environment of a given time and place; understanding should be multi-faceted, seeing the surface, the inside, and the sides, not one-sided. Society is a school, and one learns in all work. There are two kinds of books for learning: books with written texts are books, and everything in society is also a book—a "wordless heavenly scripture."

3. Carry on, do not fear difficulties. Do not be conquered and dominated by the environment or by work; instead, conquer and dominate the environment.

[1] Mao Zedong attended the graduation ceremony of the Third Brigade of the Third Term at the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University held in the central auditorium and delivered a speech. These are the three points of advice Mao Zedong offered on the work methods for the students after their graduation.