All reactionaries are paper tigers.

Politics is war without bloodshed; war is politics with bloodshed.

Every Communist must grasp the truth: Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.

You can't solve a problem? Well, get down and investigate the present facts and [the problem's] past history! When you have investigated the problem thoroughly, you will know how to solve it.

I am alone with the masses.

The revolutionary war is a war of the masses; it can be waged only by mobilizing the masses and relying on them.

Revolution is not a dinner party, not an essay, nor a painting, nor a piece of embroidery; it cannot be advanced softly, gradually, carefully, considerately, respectfully, politely, plainly, and modestly.

Revolutionary war is an antitoxin which not only eliminates the enemy's poison but also purges us of our own filth.

A revolution does not march a straight line. It wanders where it can, retreats before superior forces, advances wherever it has room, attacks whenever the enemy retreats or bluffs, and above all, is possessed of enormous patience.

Revolution is a drama of passion. We did not win the people over by appealing to reason but by developing hope, trust, fraternity.