Speech at the Lu Xun Academy of Literature and Art[1]

(May 30, 1942)

Raising standards must be based on popularization. Do not look down on things that are popularized. A big tree also grows from a tiny seedling like a bean sprout. Those who look down on popularization turn a blind eye to bean sprouts and end up carelessly trampling them underfoot. The place where you are now studying is the Little Lu Xun Academy, but there is also a Big Lu Xun Academy, and you must go there to study as well. The Big Lu Xun Academy is the life and struggles of the workers, peasants, and soldiers, and the broad masses of working people are the teachers of the Big Lu Xun Academy. You should earnestly learn from them, transform your own thoughts and feelings, and gradually shift your standpoint to the side of the workers, peasants, and soldiers. Only then can you become true revolutionary literary and art workers.

[1] This is part of Mao Zedong's speech to the students of the Lu Xun Academy of Literature and Art.