All the reputedly powerful reactionaries are merely paper tigers. The reason is that they are divorced from the people. Look! Was not Hitler a paper tiger? Was Hitler not overthrown? U.S. imperialism has not yet been overthrown and it has the atomic bomb. I believe it also will be overthrown. It, too, is a paper tiger.

Summary

This quote by Mao Zedong suggests that powerful reactionaries, such as Hitler and U.S. imperialism, are ultimately weak and vulnerable because they are disconnected from the people they rule. Mao argues that despite their initial appearance of strength, these entities can be overthrown by the collective power of the people. By referring to them as "paper tigers," Mao highlights their false intimidation and predicts their eventual downfall, even suggesting that the seemingly invincible U.S. imperialism will also be defeated. This quote reflects Mao's belief in the potential strength and resilience of the people in bringing about political change.

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