Mao’s Talk with the American Correspondent Anna Louise Strong contains this sentence in the English version reproduced by the Marxists Internet Archive. The underlying occasion is dated 1946-08; that is not the publication date of this modern English translation.
“All reactionaries are paper tigers” Mao Zedong — Talk with the American Correspondent Anna Louise Strong (1946-08), English version reproduced by Marxists Internet Archive; modern translation, not a public-domain English clearance.
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In context
Evoking the world of Mao Zedong — Chinese Communist leader. Theme: "All reactionaries are paper tigers". Atmospheric and restrained, cinematic directional light, a muted period-appropriate palette, fine grain and texture. Compose with generous empty space for the quote and a small credit line. No lettering in the image itself.
Minimalist
Minimalist editorial slide for the quote "All reactionaries are paper tigers". Clean background, a single muted accent color, generous negative space, subtle paper or linen texture, no literal illustration — let the words carry it. Reserve clear space for a serif quote and a small credit line. No lettering in the image itself.
Provenance
The source
Containing work
Talk with the American Correspondent Anna Louise Strong
Underlying occasion
1946-08
English version
Marxists Internet Archive transcription; individual translator/edition not identified
This is modern English wording from a post-1930 Mao work and translation tradition. It is treated conservatively as in copyright; the date of the Chinese speech does not make the English translation public domain. Only a brief excerpt is reproduced for identification and criticism.
Rights status is our research, not legal advice — and copyright varies by country and edition. For commercial or published use, confirm with the rightsholder. See terms.
Context
Why it mattered
Mao was responding to questions about the power of reactionary forces and the atom bomb. His argument distinguishes frightening appearances from long-term political strength; later collected passages also caution that such enemies can inflict very real harm.
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Filed under
More provenance-checked quotes on the same theme, each with its reuse status.
Mao Zedong led the Chinese Communist Party to victory in the civil war and helped establish the People’s Republic of China in 1949. His later campaigns included the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution; the use of his name as a quotation authority needs to be distinguished from a source in his actual writings.
For writers & researchers
Cite this
The primary source (Chicago)
Mao Tse-tung. “Talk with the American Correspondent Anna Louise Strong” (1946-08). Selected Works, English text reproduced by Marxists Internet Archive. Specific English translator/edition not independently established.
This verification page
Quotle.info. “Who really said ‘All reactionaries are paper tigers’?” Last verified 9 Nov 2026. https://quotle.info/who-said/all-reactionaries-are-paper-tigers/