“War can only be abolished through war, and in order to get rid of the gun it is necessary to take up the gun.”
- 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
“War can only be abolished through war, and in order to get rid of the gun it is necessary to take up the gun.”
Explanation
This quote expresses Mao Zedong’s belief in the inevitability of struggle in achieving lasting peace and the abolition of violence. Mao suggests that war, as a force that shapes political realities, can only be truly eradicated through the use of military force in specific circumstances, particularly when it is necessary to overthrow oppressive regimes or imperialist powers. His assertion that one must “take up the gun” to rid society of war reflects Mao’s revolutionary approach, where the use of force is seen as a necessary tool in challenging entrenched systems of power. In Mao’s view, peaceful negotiations alone cannot bring about fundamental change in societies dominated by violence and exploitation; instead, a revolutionary war is required to dismantle these structures.
Mao’s philosophy was shaped by his experiences during the Chinese Civil War and the Japanese invasion of China, where he believed that armed struggle was essential for achieving the freedom and independence of the people. In this context, his statement was a justification for the use of force in situations where existing powers—whether colonial or feudal—used violence and oppression to maintain control. Mao’s theory was that armed struggle could not only defeat the enemy but also serve as a means of transforming society, laying the foundation for a new political order based on socialist principles.
In modern terms, this quote raises critical questions about the relationship between violence, peace, and justice. While the context in which Mao made this statement was revolutionary in nature, the principle behind it can be seen as a comment on the nature of systemic oppression and the necessity of resistance. In contemporary politics, this might resonate with those who argue that armed resistance is the only way to challenge extreme forms of imperialism or tyranny when all peaceful avenues have been exhausted. However, it also serves as a reminder of the dangers of militarization and the cycle of violence, urging societies to seek alternatives where peace can be achieved through dialogue, cooperation, and non-violent resistance when possible. Mao’s view remains a powerful, though controversial, assertion of the belief that freedom and peace can sometimes only be achieved through active struggle, even in the form of war.
