QuoteProject
Poverty is not socialism. To be rich is glorious.
Deng Xiaoping
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote suggests that poverty should not be equated with socialism, and it praises the pursuit of wealth as a positive aspiration.

Deng Xiaoping's quote emphasizes the distinction between poverty and socialism, arguing against the notion that being poor is a desirable state or an inherent virtue of socialism. He asserts that wealth and prosperity should be seen as commendable goals, reflecting a positive attitude towards capitalism and its potential to create opportunities for individuals to improve their circumstances.

Themes

PovertySocialismWealthProsperityCapitalismDeng Xiaoping

In practice

Example use cases

During a debate on economic policies, I might say, 'As Deng Xiaoping stated, poverty is not socialism. To be rich is glorious.' to emphasize the importance of wealth creation.

More from Deng Xiaoping

It doesn't matter if a cat is black or white, so long as it catches mice.
Deng XiaopingRead
China is not a superpower, nor will she ever seek to be one... If one day China should change her color and turn into a superpower, if she too should play the tyrant in the world, and everywhere subject others to her bullying, aggression and exploitation, the people of the world should identify her as social-imperialist, expose it, oppose it and work together with the Chinese people to overthrow it.
Deng XiaopingRead

Similar quotes

All of us have to deal with death at one time or another, but to have in one's heart a solid conviction concerning the reality of eternal life is to bring a sense of peace in an hour of tragedy that can come from no other source under the heavens
Gordon B. HinckleyRead
If you find yourself loving any pleasure more than your prayers, any book better than the Bible, any house better than the house of the Lord, any table better than the Lord's table, any persons better than Christ, or any indulgence better than the hope of heaven – be alarmed.
Thomas GuthrieRead
A means can be justified only by its end. But the end in its turn needs to be justified.
Leon TrotskyRead
You who read me, are You sure of understanding my language?
Jorge Luis BorgesRead
And in that fraction of a second before anything actually happened, Santino Corleone knew he was a dead man.
Mario PuzoRead
If the Great Way perishes there will morality and duty. When cleverness and knowledge arise great lies will flourish. When relatives fall out with one another there will be filial duty and love. When states are in confusion there will be faithful servants.
LaoziRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.