Comment on the Need to Speak Less Empty Talk and More About Methods[1]
(March 20, 1959)

This experience is useful and can be circulated to all localities. For grassroots cadres and the broad masses, we must speak less empty talk and more about methods.

Mao Zedong
March 20

[1] This comment was written on the 48th issue of the *Situation Bulletin* (Special Edition on the Six-Level Cadres Conference) compiled and printed by the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on March 17, 1959. This issue of the bulletin carried a letter from Cao Youmin of the General Office sent from Jinan. The letter introduced the opinions of the Six-Level Cadres Conference in Shandong Province on policies regarding the commune management system, the ratio between accumulation and consumption, the allocation of this year's wheat harvest, and the state monopoly purchasing of grain and cotton. The letter also mentioned that regarding how to convey the above opinions to the masses in the fastest way, the Dongjiao People's Commune in Licheng County, Shandong Province, had gained some experience: first, the quicker the opinions are conveyed to the masses, the more beneficial; second, do not merely assume a posture aimed at solving ideological problems, but focus on explaining clearly what is to be done.