“If you want to know the taste of a pear, you must change the pear by eating it yourself. If you want to know the theory and methods of revolution, you must take part in revolution. All genuine knowledge originates in direct experience.”
- December 26, 1893 – September 9, 1976
- Born in China
- Politician, thinker
- He led the Chinese socialist revolution and succeeded in founding the country, but the Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution brought much chaos and sacrifice.
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Quote
“If you want to know the taste of a pear, you must change the pear by eating it yourself. If you want to know the theory and methods of revolution, you must take part in revolution. All genuine knowledge originates in direct experience.”
Explanation
This quote reflects Mao Zedong’s belief in the importance of direct experience as the foundation of genuine knowledge. Mao argues that true understanding can only come from active participation and personal involvement. Just as one cannot truly understand the taste of a pear without eating it, one cannot fully grasp the theory and methods of revolution without engaging in the revolutionary process itself. For Mao, theoretical knowledge was not something that could be learned in isolation from the world; it was something that needed to be tested and refined through real-world action. He emphasized that experience shapes understanding, and without this hands-on involvement, any knowledge would remain abstract and disconnected from the practical realities of change.
In the context of Mao’s revolutionary ideology, this statement underscored the necessity of engagement in the revolutionary struggle to truly understand its complexities and challenges. Mao believed that revolutionaries could not rely solely on intellectual study or foreign theories. Instead, they needed to immerse themselves in the revolution, confronting its difficulties firsthand and learning through their actions and experiences. This view was part of his broader Marxist-Leninist approach, which held that practical experience in the struggle for social change was the only way to build authentic revolutionary knowledge.
In modern terms, this quote highlights the importance of experiential learning in any field—whether in political activism, business, or personal growth. It suggests that theory alone is not enough to truly understand complex situations; practical involvement is essential for developing a deep, holistic understanding. In today’s world, this principle can apply to anyone who seeks to create change, solve problems, or innovate—by getting directly involved in the process and learning from the real-life challenges faced along the way. Only through action can true knowledge and insight be gained.
