In the speech, Mao quoted a phrase written by the famous Han Dynasty historian Sima Qian: "Though death befalls all men alike, it may be heavy as Mount Tai or light as a feather" (人固有一死，或轻于鸿毛，或重于泰山).
In the speech, Mao referenced a phrase penned by the renowned Han Dynasty historian Sima Qian: "Despite death affecting all equally, it may be as light as a feather or as heavy as Mount Tai" (人固有一死，或轻于鸿毛，或重于泰山).