Cadres

In order to guarantee that our Party and country do not change their colour, we must not only have a correct line and correct policies but must train and bring up millions of successors who will carry on the cause of proletarian revolution. In the final analysis, the question of training successors for the revolutionary cause of the proletariat is one of whether or not there will be people who can carry on the Marxist-Leninist revolutionary cause started by the older generation of proletarian revolutionaries, whether or not the leadership of our Party and state will remain in the hands of proletarian revolutionaries, whether or not our descendants will continue to march along the correct road laid down by Marxism-Leninism, or, in other words, whether or not we can successfully prevent the emergence of Khrushchov's revisionism in China. In short, it is an extremely important question, a matter of life and death for our Party and our country. It is a question of fundamental importance to the proletarian revolutionary cause for a hundred, a thousand, nay ten thousand years. Basing themselves on the changes in the Soviet Union, the imperialist prophets are pinning their hopes of "peaceful evolution" on the third or fourth generation of the Chinese Party. We must shatter these imperialist prophecies. From our highest organizations down to the grass-roots, we must everywhere give constant attention to the training and upbringing of successors to the revolutionary cause. What are the requirements for worthy successors to the revolutionary cause of the proletariat? They must be genuine Marxist-Leninists and not revisionists like Khrushchov wearing the cloak of Marxism-Leninism. They must be revolutionaries who wholeheartedly serve the overwhelming majority of the people of China and the whole world, and must not be like Khrushchov who serves both the interests of the handful of members of the privileged bourgeois stratum in his own country and those of foreign imperialism and reaction. They must be proletarian statesmen capable of uniting and working together with the overwhelming majority. Not only must they unite with those who agree with them, they must also be good at uniting with those who disagree and even with those who formerly opposed them and have since been proved wrong in practice. But they must especially watch out for careerists and conspirators like Khrushchov and prevent such bad elements from usurping the leadership of the Party and the state at any level. They must be models in applying the Party's democratic centralism, must master the method of leadership based on the principle of "from the masses, to the masses", and must cultivate a democratic style and be good at listening to the masses. They must not be despotic like Khrushchov and violate the Party's democratic centralism, make surprise attacks on comrades or act arbitrarily and dictatorially. They must be modest and prudent and guard against arrogance and impetuosity; they must be imbued with the spirit of self-criticism and have the courage to correct mistakes and shortcomings in their work. They must never cover up their errors like Khrushchov, and claim all the credit for themselves and shift all the blame on others. Successors to the revolutionary cause of the proletariat come forward in mass struggles and are tempered in the great storms of revolution. It is essential to test and judge cadres and choose and train successors in the long course of mass struggle.

Source: Quoted in On Khrushchov's Phoney Communism and Its Historical Lessons for the World (July 14,1964), pp. 72-74.*

為了保證我們的黨和國家不改變顏色，我們不僅需要正確的路線和政策，而且需要培養和造就千百萬無產階級革命事業的接班人。培養無產階級革命事業接班人的問題從根本上來說，就是老一代無產階級革命家所開創的馬克思列寧主義的革命事業是不是後繼有人的問題，就是將來我們黨和國家的領導能不能繼續掌握在無產階級革命家手中的問題，就是我們的子孫後代能不能沿著馬克思列寧主義的正確道路繼續前進的問題，也就是我們能不能勝利地防止赫魯曉夫修正主義在中國重演的問題。總之，這是關係我們黨和國家命運的生死存亡的極其重大的問題。這是無產階級革命事業的百年大計，千年大計，萬年大計。帝國主義的預言家們根據蘇聯發生的變化，也把「和平演變」的希望，寄託在中國黨的第三代或者第四代身上。我們一定要使帝國主義的這種預言徹底破產。我們一定要從上到下地、普遍地、經常不斷地注意培養和造就革命事業的接班人。具備什麼條件，才能夠充當無產階級革命事業的接班人呢？他們必須是真正的馬克思列寧主義者，而不是像赫魯曉夫那樣的掛著馬克思列寧主義招牌的修正主義者。他們必須是全心全意為中國和世界的絕大多數人服務的革命者，而不是像赫魯曉夫那樣，在國內為一小撮資產階級特權階層的利益服務，在國際為帝國主義和反動派的利益服務。他們必須是能夠團結絕大多數人一道工作的無產階級政治家。不但要團結和自己意見相同的人，而且要善於團結那些和自己意見不同的人，還要善於團結那些反對過自己並且已被實踐證明是犯了錯誤的人。但是要特別警惕像赫魯曉夫那樣的個人野心家和陰謀家，防止這樣的壞人篡奪黨和國家的各級領導。他們必須是黨的民主集中制的模範執行者，必須學會「從群衆中來，到群衆中去」的領導方法，必須養成善於聽取群衆意見的民主作風。而不能像赫魯曉夫那樣，破壞黨的民主集中制，專橫跋扈，對同志搞突然襲擊，不講道理，實行個人獨裁。他們必須謙虛謹慎，戒驕戒躁，富於自我批評精神，勇於改正自己工作中的缺點和錯誤。而絕不能像赫魯曉夫那樣，文過飾非，把一切功勞歸於自己，把一切錯誤歸於別人。無產階級革命事業的接班人，是在群衆鬥爭中產生的，是在革命大風大浪的鍛鍊中成長的。應當在長期的群衆鬥爭中，考察和識別幹部，挑選和培養接班人。

Our Party organizations must be extended all over the country and we must purposefully train tens of thousands of cadres and hundreds of first-rate mass leaders. They must be cadres and leaders versed in Marxism-Leninism, politically far-sighted, competent in work, full of the spirit of self-sacrifice, capable of tackling problems on their own, steadfast in the midst of difficulties and loyal and devoted in serving the nation, the class and the Party. It is on these cadres and leaders that the Party relies for its links with the membership and the masses, and it is by relying on their firm leadership of the masses that the Party can succeed in defeating the enemy. Such cadres and leaders must be free from selfishness, from individualistic heroism, ostentation, sloth, passivity, and arrogant sectarianism, and they must be selfless national and class heroes; such are the qualities and the style of work demanded of the members, cadres and leaders of our Party.

Source: "Win the Masses in Their Millions for the Anti-Japanese National United Front" (May 7, 1937), Selected Works, Vol. I, p. 291.*

我們黨的組織要向全國發展，要自覺地造就成萬數的幹部，要有幾百個最好的群衆領袖。這些幹部和領袖懂得馬克思列寧主義，有政治遠見，有工作能力，富於犧牲精神，能獨立解決問題，在困難中不動搖，忠心耿耿地為民族、為階級、為黨而工作。黨依靠著這些人而聯繫黨員和群衆，依靠著這些人對於群衆的堅強領導而達到打倒敵人之目的。這些人不要自私自利，不要個人英雄主義和風頭主義，不要懶惰和消極性，不要自高自大的宗派主義，他們是大公無私的民族的階級的英雄，這就是共產黨員、黨的幹部、黨的領袖應該有的性格和作風。

Cadres are a decisive factor, once the political line is determined. Therefore, it is our fighting task to train large numbers of new cadres in a planned way.

Source: "The Role of the Chinese Communist Party in the National War" (October 1938), Selected Works, Vol. II, p. 202.

政治路線確定之後，幹部就是決定的因素。因此，有計劃地培養大批的新幹部。就是我們的戰鬥任務。

The Role of the Chinese Communist Party in the National War — October 1938, on the Party's role and discipline in the war.

The criterion the Communist Party should apply in its cadres policy is whether or not a cadre is resolute in carrying out the Party line, keeps to Party discipline, has close ties with the masses, has the ability to find his bearings independently, and is active, hardworking and unselfish. This is what "appointing people on their merit" means.

Source: Ibid. It is necessary to maintain the system of cadre participation in collective productive labour.

共產黨的幹部政策，應是以能否堅決地執行黨的路線，服從黨的紀律，和群衆有密切的聯繫，有獨立的工作能力，積極肯幹，不謀私利為標準，這就是「任人唯賢」的路線。

The cadres of our Party and state are ordinary workers and not overlords sitting on the backs of the people. By taking part in collective productive labour, the cadres maintain extensive, constant and close ties with the working people. This is a major measure of fundamental importance for a socialist system; it helps to overcome bureaucracy and to prevent revisionism and dogmatism.

Source: Quoted in On Khrushchov's Phoney Communism and Its Historical Lessons for the World (July 14, 1964), pp. 68-69.*

必須堅持幹部參加集體生產勞動的制度。我們黨和國家的幹部是普通勞動者，而不是騎在人民頭上的老爺。幹部通過參加集體生產勞動，同勞動人民保持最廣泛的、經常的、密切的聯繫。這是社會主義制度下一件帶根本性的大事，它有助於克服官僚主義，防止修正主義和教條主義。

We must know how to judge cadres. We must not confine our judgement to a short period or a single incident in a cadre's life, but should consider his life and work as a whole. This is the principal method of judging cadres.

Source: "The Role of the Chinese Communist Party in the National War" (October 1938), Selected Works, Vol. II, p. 202.

必須善於識別幹部。不但要看幹部的一時一事，而且要看幹部的全部歷史和全部工作，這是識別幹部的主要方法。

The Role of the Chinese Communist Party in the National War — October 1938, on the Party's role and discipline in the war.

We must, know how to use cadres well. In the final analysis, leadership involves two main responsibilities: to work out ideas, and to use cadres well. Such things as drawing up plans, making decisions, and giving orders and directives, are all in the category of "working out ideas". To put the ideas into practice, we must weld the cadres together and encourage them to go into action; this comes into the category of "using the cadres well".

Source: Ibid. We must know how to take good care of cadres.

必須善於使用幹部。領導者的責任，歸結起來，主要地是出主意、用幹部兩件事。一切計劃、決議、命令、指示等等，都屬於「出主意」一類。使這一切主意見之實行，必須團結幹部，推動他們去做，屬於「用幹部」一類。

There are several ways of doing so. First, give them guidance. This means allowing them a free hand in their work so that they have the courage to assume responsibility and, at the same time, giving them timely instructions so that, guided by the Party's political line, they are able to make full use of their initiative. Second, raise their level. This means educating them by giving them the opportunity to study so that they can enhance their theoretical understanding and their working ability. Third, check up on their work, and help them sum up their experience, carry forward their achievements and correct their mistakes. To assign work without checking up and to take notice only when serious mistakes are made - that is not the way to take care of cadres. Fourth, in general, use the method of persuasion with cadres who have made mistakes, and help them correct their mistakes. The method of struggle should be confined to those who make serious mistakes and nevertheless refuse to accept guidance. Here patience is essential. It is wrong lightly to label people "opportunists" or lightly to begin "waging struggles" against them. Fifth, help them with their difficulties. When cadres are in difficulty as a result of illness, straitened means or domestic or other troubles, we must be sure to give them as much care as possible. This is how to take good care of cadres.

Source: Ibid., p. 203.

必須善於愛護幹部。愛護的辦法是：第一，指導他們。這就是讓他們放手工作，使他們敢於負責；同時，又適時地給以指示，使他們能在黨的政治路線下發揮其創造性。第二，提高他們。這就是給以學習的機會，教育他們，使他們在理論上在工作能力上提高一步。第三，檢查他們的工作，幫助他們總結經驗，發揚成績，糾正錯誤。有委託而無檢查，及至犯了嚴重的錯誤，方才加以注意，不是愛護幹部的辦法。第四，對於犯錯誤的幹部，一般地應採取說服的方法。幫助他們改正錯誤。只有對犯了嚴重錯誤而又不接受指導的人們，才應當採取鬥爭的方法。在這裡，耐心是必要的；輕易地給人們戴上「機會主義」的大帽子，輕易地採用「開展鬥爭」的方法，是不對的。第五，照顧他們的困難。幹部有疾病、生活、家庭等項困難問題者，必須在可能限度內用心給以照顧。這些就是愛護幹部的方法。

A leading group that is genuinely united and is linked with the masses can gradually be formed only in the process of mass struggle, and not in isolation from it. In the process of a great struggle, the composition of the leading group in most cases should not and cannot remain entirely unchanged throughout the initial, middle and final stages; the activists who come forward in the course of the struggle must constantly be promoted to replace those original members of the leading group who are inferior by comparison or who have degenerated.

Source: "Some Questions Concerning Methods of Leadership" (June 1, 1943), Selected Works, Vol. III, p. 118.*

凡屬真正團結一致、聯繫群衆的領導骨幹，必須是從群衆鬥爭中逐漸形成，而不是脫離群衆鬥爭所能形成的。在多數情形下，一個偉大的鬥爭過程，其開始階段、中間階段和最後階段的領導骨幹，不應該是也不可能是完全同一的；必須不斷地提拔在鬥爭中產生的積極分子，來替換原有骨幹中相形見絀的分子，或腐化了的分子。

Some Questions Concerning Methods of Leadership — June 1943, systematising 'from the masses, to the masses'.

If our Party does not have a great many new cadres working in unity and cooperation with the old cadres, our cause will come to a stop. All old cadres, therefore, should welcome the new ones with the utmost enthusiasm and show them the warmest solicitude. True, new cadres have their shortcomings. They have not been long in the revolution and lack experience, and unavoidably some have brought with them vestiges of the unwholesome ideology of the old society, remnants of the ideology of petty-bourgeois individualism. But such shortcomings can be gradually eliminated through education and tempering in the revolution. The strong point of the new cadres, as Stalin has said, is that they are acutely sensitive to what is new and are therefore enthusiastic and active to a high degree - the very qualities which some of the old cadres lack. Cadres, new and old, should respect each other, learn from each other and overcome their own shortcomings by learning from each other's strong points, so as to unite as one in the common cause and guard against sectarian tendencies.

Source: "Rectify the Party's Style of Work" (February 1, 1942), Selected Works, Vol. III, p. 47.

我們黨如果沒有廣大的新幹部同老幹部一致合作，我們的事業就會中斷。所以一切老幹部應該以極大的熱忱歡迎新幹部，關心新幹部。不錯，新幹部是有缺點的，他們參加革命還不久，還缺乏經驗，他們中的有些人還不免帶來舊社會不良思想的尾巴，這就是小資產階級個人主義思想的殘餘。但是這些缺點是可以從教育中從革命鍛鍊中逐漸地去掉的。他們的長處，正如斯大林說過的，是對於新鮮事物有銳敏的感覺，因而有高度的熱情和積極性，而在這一點上，有些老幹部則正是缺乏的。新老幹部應該是彼此尊重，互相學習，取長補短，以便團結一致，進行共同的事業，而防止宗派主義的傾向。

Rectify the Party's Style of Work — February 1942, an opening report of the Yan'an rectification.

Our concern should extend to non-Party cadres as well as to Party cadres. There are many capable people outside the Party whom we must not ignore. The duty of every Communist is to rid himself of aloofness and arrogance and to work well with non-Party cadres, give them sincere help, have a warm, comradely attitude towards them and enlist their initiative in the great cause of resisting Japan and reconstructing the nation.

Source: "The Role of the Chinese Communist Party in the National War" (October 1938), Selected Works, Vol. II, p. 202.

不但要關心黨的幹部，還要關心非黨的幹部。黨外存在著很多的人材，共產黨不能把他們置之度外。去掉孤傲習氣，善於和非黨幹部共事，真心誠意地幫助他們，用熱烈的同志的態度對待他們，把他們的積極性組織到抗日和建國的偉大事業中去，這是每一個共產黨員的責任。

The Role of the Chinese Communist Party in the National War — October 1938, on the Party's role and discipline in the war.