Emancipate the Mind, Seeking Truth from Facts

Deng Xiaoping— Paramount Leader of the People's Republic of China

Delivered in 1978

4 minute read

Historical Context

Delivered on December 13, 1978, at the closing session of the Central Working Conference prior to the 3rd Plenary Session, launching China's historical "Reform and Opening-Up" policy.

Full Transcript

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When everything has to be done by the book, when thinking turns rigid and dogmatism holds sway, a party or a nation cannot advance. Its vitality ceases that very moment, and it will fall behind and perish.

Seeking truth from facts is the baseline of Marxist ideology. If a party, a state, or a nation bases everything on dogmatism, it cannot move forward.

We must emancipate our minds, use our heads, seek truth from facts, and unite as one in looking to the future. Development is the absolute principle.

Defining Key Excerpts

"Seeking truth from facts is the baseline of Marxist ideology."

— Ideological Pragmatism

"Poverty is not socialism. To become rich is glorious."

— Economic Principle

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