On Feb. 19, China’s 92-year-old “paramount leader,” Deng Xiaoping, died. Many news organizations quoted his most famous aphorism spoken during an argument with Mao over farm policies: “Whether a cat is black or white makes no difference. As long as it catches mice, it is a good cat.” Pat Sajak writes to the SCRAPBOOK, “One can only stand in awe in the presence of such insight, and search for meaning in some of Deng’s lesser-known quotations,” which Mr. Sajak has helpfully collected for us. Highlights include:
IT IS NOT THE HEIGHT OF THE GIRAFFE THAT MAKES IT GREAT: IT IS THE DISTANCE BETWEEN ITS HEAD AND ITS FEET.
THE HEAT IS NOT NEARLY AS IMPORTANT AS IS THE HUMIDITY.
THE CHILD MUST BE WARY IN ALL SITUATIONS LEST HE PUT AN EYE OUT.
WE MUST KNOW THE FUTURE. IT IS WHERE WE WILL SPEND THE BULK OF OUR DAYS.
ONE CANNOT REBROADCAST WITHOUT THE EXPRESS WRITTEN CONSENT OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL.
WHEN A MAN DOES SOMETHING AND IT HURTS, HE SHOULD NOT DO THAT.
IT IS GOOD TO BE POOR AND MEEK AND HUMBLE; THOUGH BEING PARAMOUNT LEADER IS PROBABLY BETTER.
