Deng Xiaoping -- Comment (1983)

Dave — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 15:38:32 +0000

The United States brags about its political system, but the President says one thing during the election, something else when he takes office, something else at midterm and something else when he leaves.

Deng Xiaoping (1904-1997) Chinese revolutionary, politician, statesman [Teng Hsiao-p'ing]
Comment (1983)
(Source)

When asked by a group of American professors about China's political stability. Quoted in Philip West and Frans A. M. Alting von Geusau, The Pacific Rim and the Western World: Strategic, Economic, and Cultural Perspectives (1987).

Deng Xiaoping -- Speech, Communist Youth League conference (Jul 1962)

Dave — Sat, 06 Aug 2016 00:00:45 +0000

It doesn’t matter whether the cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice.

Deng Xiaoping (1904-1997) Chinese revolutionary, politician, statesman [Teng Hsiao-p'ing]
Speech, Communist Youth League conference (Jul 1962)

There are a variety of translations, and Deng used the phrase on numerous occasions.

WIST Quotations

Deng Xiaoping -- Comment (1983)

Deng Xiaoping -- Speech, Communist Youth League conference (Jul 1962)