To An Ying and An Qing, my two sons:  Long ago, I received An Ying’s long letter, An Qing’s letter, a photo album sent by An Ying, and individual photographs—several sets of letters and pictures in all. Yet I did not reply to any of them, for which I feel very sorry and understand how worried you must have been.


I am delighted to hear that you have made progress.


An Ying’s writing is clear and coherent, and his handwriting is quite good as well. He has an ambitious and enterprising spirit, which is most commendable.


I would like to offer you just one piece of advice: while you are still young, devote more time to the study of the natural sciences and talk less about politics. Of course, political matters should not be entirely ignored, but at present it would be best to concentrate on mastering the natural sciences, with the social sciences serving as a supplement. In the future, you may reverse this approach, making the social sciences your primary focus and the natural sciences a supporting discipline.


In short, pay close attention to science; for only science constitutes genuine learning, and its applications will be limitless in the years to come.

When others praise and elevate you, there is one benefit: it can encourage you to strive forward. However, there is also a drawback: it may easily breed complacency and self-satisfaction, leading you to lose sight of practical reality and objective truth.  You yourselves hold your own future in your hands; whether it turns out well or poorly depends entirely on you and your immediate surroundings. I have no wish to interfere. My views should be regarded merely as suggestions for you to consider and decide upon in light of your own circumstances.


To sum up, I am very pleased with you both and hope that you will continue to improve.


An Ying asked me to write a poem, but I am utterly without poetic inspiration and thus unable to do so.


As for sending books, two years ago I entrusted Comrade Lin Boqu [1] in Xi’an with a large collection intended for your youth group. I was told, however, that it never reached you, which is truly regrettable. I shall now carefully select a small batch to send again; a larger shipment will follow later.


This year my health has been somewhat poor, and I am not satisfied with myself. I have also been reading much less, owing to my busy schedule.  How are things with you? I am very concerned about you.


Written by Mao Zedong on January 31, 1941, based on the “Selected Letters of Mao Zedong,” published by the People’s Publishing House in 1983.


Footnote [1]: Lin Boqu was, in 1939, the representative of the Chinese Communist Party in Xi’an.