num_pages: 8
description: In Memory of Norman Bethune (《纪念白求恩》) 1939: Virtually unknown in his Canadian homeland during his life, Bethune received international recognition when Mao Zedong of the PRC published this essay (紀念白求恩), which documented the last months of the doctor's life. Almost the entire population knew about the essay which became required reading in elementary schools during the Cultural Revolution (1966-76). Mao concluded in that essay: "We must all learn the spirit of absolute selflessness from him. With this spirit everyone can be very helpful to each other. A man's ability may be great or small, but if he has this spirit, he's already noble-minded &amp; pure, a man of moral integrity &amp; above vulgar interests, a man who is of value to the people."Serve the People (《为人民服务》) 1944:Mao gave this speech to commemorate a PLA soldier, a Long March participant who died in a kiln collapse. He quoted Han Dynasty historian Sima Qian, "Tho death befalls all men alike, it may be weightier than Mt Tai or lighter than a feather." (人固有一死，或重于泰山，或轻于鸿毛。). He continued: "To die for the people is weightier than Mt Tai, but to work for the fascists &amp; die for the exploiters &amp; oppressors is lighter than a feather. Cde Zhang Side died for the people &amp; his death is indeed weightier than Mt Tai." The concept of "Serving the People", together with slogans such as "Never benefit oneself, always benefit others" &amp; "Tireless struggle" became principles of the CP of China.The Foolish Old Man Who Removed the Mountains (《愚公移山》) 1957
language: English
title: Serve the People/In Memory of Norman Bethune/The Foolish Old Man who Removed the Mountains
publisher: Foreign Languages Press (Beijing)