Everything Everywhere Daily · Friday, August 14, 2026
In 1962, Deng Xiaoping famously used the Sichuan saying, "It doesn't matter whether a cat is yellow or black, as long as it catches mice," to justify his pragmatic reforms aimed at restoring agricultural production. This approach prioritized recovery over strict adherence to Maoist ideology, earning him acclaim but also creating a precarious political position.
“Deng famously observed to party colleagues in 1962, quote, "In terms of establishing the best form of production relations, I think we should take this attitude: adopt whatever form can fairly and easily restore and develop agriculture in a given place.”
“As the old Sichuan saying goes, it doesn't matter whether a cat is yellow or black, as long as it catches mice." End quote.”
“It was unimportant what style the reforms were, as long as the nation recovered from the calamity.”