Speech at the Summary Session of the Inspection Work Conference of the Eighth Route Army’s Yan’an General Supply Depot
(January 27, 1939)
[1]
Inspection work conferences are a method of leadership; they represent the most concrete way to learn how to lead. Through these conferences, we have united the cadres, promoted our strengths, and overcome our weaknesses.
Having knowledge is like standing on a mountain—you can see far and wide. Without knowledge, it is like walking in a dark ditch, groping around blindly, which can be extremely painful. The methods of learning are “making time” and “delving deeply.”

[1] This is part of Mao Zedong’s speech delivered at the summary session of the Eighth Route Army’s Yan’an General Supply Depot inspection work conference.