(December 21, 1939)



[Excerpted from Selected Works of Mao Zedong] In Memory of Norman Bethune





Note by the Transcriber: This article was first published in the “Norman Bethune Memorial Volume” and was transcribed from “Study Norman Bethune,” issued by Xinhua Bookstore in January 1950.





(1) Comrade Bethune was a Canadian Communist, in his fifties. In order to aid China’s War of Resistance Against Japan, he was dispatched by the Communist Parties of Canada and the United States, crossed the vast Pacific Ocean, and came all the way to China. When he arrived in Yan’an last spring, he immediately requested to be sent to work in the Wutai Mountains, but unfortunately he gave his life in the line of duty. How can we describe the spirit of a foreigner who, devoid of any selfish motive, regarded the Chinese people’s cause of liberation as his own? It is the spirit of internationalism, the spirit of communism. Every member of the Chinese Communist Party must learn from this spirit. Lenin said: “The proletariat of capitalist countries should support the independence movements of colonies and semi-colonies; in turn, the proletariat of colonies and semi-colonies should support unity with the proletariat of capitalist countries. Only in this way can the world revolution be victorious.” Bethune put this Leninist line into practice. We Chinese Communists must also follow this path: we must unite with the proletariat of all capitalist countries—Japan, Britain, the United States, Germany, Italy, and every other capitalist nation—in order to overthrow Japanese imperialism, liberate our own nation and people, and liberate the nations and peoples of the entire world. This is our internationalism; it is the very internationalism that we employ to oppose narrow nationalism and narrow patriotism.



(2) Comrade Bethune’s spirit of selfless dedication to others was manifested in his extreme sense of responsibility toward his work and in his ardent warmth toward his comrades and the general public. Every Communist Party member should emulate him. Regrettably, many people are irresponsible in their work, preferring ease to hardship: they push the heavy burdens onto others while choosing the lighter tasks for themselves. When faced with any matter, they first think of their own interests and only then consider those of others. Moreover, having done even a small amount of work, they regard themselves as great heroes, indulging in self-promotion and fearing that others might fail to notice their achievements. Instead of showing genuine enthusiasm for their fellow countrymen and the people at large, they treat them with cold indifference, apathy, and callousness. Such individuals are, in truth, no true Communists—at the very least, they cannot be considered pure Communists. Compared with Comrade Bethune, they ought to be utterly ashamed. Those who have returned from the front lines invariably express admiration for Bethune and are deeply moved by his spirit. Among the military and civilian populations of the Jin-Cha-Ji Border Region, all who were personally treated by Dr. Bethune or witnessed his work firsthand have been profoundly touched. Every Communist Party member must learn from Comrade Bethune’s truly communist spirit.



(3) Bethune was a physician whose profession was medical practice. He pursued excellence with relentless dedication, and throughout the entire medical system of the Eighth Route Army, his skills were unrivaled. Despite being over fifty years old, he remained steadfast in his chosen vocation, never seeking to change careers. This serves as an outstanding lesson for those who are easily swayed by new ideas, as well as for those who look down upon technical professions, dismissing them as insignificant and without prospects.



(4) I met Comrade Bethune only once. Afterwards, he wrote me numerous letters, but owing to my busy schedule, I managed to reply to only one, and I still do not know whether he received it. I feel great regret over his passing. Today, as we commemorate him, it is evident how deeply his spirit has inspired us. We should all strive to emulate his selfless, altruistic spirit. Starting from this point, we can become individuals of great benefit to the people. A person’s abilities may vary, but so long as one possesses this kind of spirit, one can be a noble person, a pure person, a morally upright person, one who has risen above base tastes, and one who is truly beneficial to the people.




December 21, 1939





Thanks to KMTの凯子 for transcription