Three Conditions Must Be Met by Soldiers in the War of Resistance Against Japan[1]

(April 2, 1938)

First, they must be broad-minded, that is, in political matters they must understand the overall situation and take the larger picture into account, and therefore in military matters they must give some attention to questions of strategy and questions concerning army corps. Second, they must be active, that is, they must possess political enthusiasm and political initiative, and with such initiative they can overcome the difficulties in their work. Third, they must have vitality, that is, they must possess a vigorous and flourishing spirit of upward development.

[1] Part of a speech addressed by Mao Zedong to the First Brigade of the Fourth Term of the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University immediately prior to its move from Yan'an to Wayaobao.