---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I would be quite content if I myself…"
description: "\"I would be quite content if I myself could be rated fifty-fifty in merits and demerits. But one thing I can say for myself: I have had a clear conscien..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e46/deng-xiaoping-12190_clear_i-would-be-quite-content-if-i-myself-cou_1231208.jpg"
---

#  I would be quite content if I myself could be rated…

![“I would be quite content if I myself could be rated fifty-fifty in merits and demerits. But one thing I can say for myself: I have had a clear conscience all my life. Please mark my words: I have made quite a few mistakes, and I have my own share of responsibility for some of the mistakes made by…” quote by Deng Xiaoping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e46/deng-xiaoping-12190_clear_i-would-be-quite-content-if-i-myself-cou_1231208.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e46/deng-xiaoping-12190_clear_i-would-be-quite-content-if-i-myself-cou_1231208.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e46/deng-xiaoping-12190_clear_i-would-be-quite-content-if-i-myself-cou_1231208.jpg)

> “I would be quite content if I myself could be rated fifty-fifty in merits and demerits. But one thing I can say for myself: I have had a clear conscience all my life. Please mark my words: I have made quite a few mistakes, and I have my own share of responsibility for some of the mistakes made by Comrade Mao Zedong. But it can be said that I made my mistake with good intentions. There is nobody who doesn't make mistakes.”

[Deng Xiaoping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deng-xiaoping/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

He acknowledges personal flaws and responsibility while emphasizing a clear conscience and good intentions despite mistakes.

**In simple terms:** Admits mistakes, claims clear conscience, stresses good intent.

Key Takeaway

Own up to errors, maintain integrity.

Themes

responsibility integrity self-awareness politics mistakes

Mood

reflective serious thoughtful

Type

philosophical political personal

When to use this quote

- political decision making
- leadership reflection
- public accountability
- personal growth

Key Concepts

ethical accountability political leadership personal conscience

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you balance personal accountability with political pressures?
- Can a clear conscience coexist with acknowledged errors?

A Different Perspective

Good intentions do not erase consequences; accountability remains essential.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Clear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clear/) [Clear conscience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clear-conscience/) [Comrade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comrade/) [Conscience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscience/) [Ethics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethics/) [Fifty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fifty/) [Good intentions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-intentions/) [I can](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-can/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Intention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intention/) [Made](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/made/) [Making mistakes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/making-mistakes/) [Mao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mao/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mao-zedong/) [Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mark/) [Merit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/merit/) [Merits Demerits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/merits-demerits-1832809/) [Mistake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistake/) [Mistakes Comrade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistakes-comrade-3808714/) [My mistakes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/my-mistakes/) [My own](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/my-own/) [One thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/one-thing/) [Please](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/please/) [Rated Merits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rated-merits-3808715/) [Responsibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsibility/) [Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said/) [Share](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/share/) [Would be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/would-be/)

## Related quotes

> [Not only did Mao Zedong Thought lead us to victory in the revolution in the past; it is - and will continue to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deng-xiaoping/not-only-did-mao-zedong-thought-lead-us-to-victory-in-the-revolution/)

[Deng Xiaoping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deng-xiaoping/)

> [Mao Zedong Thought was not created by Comrade Mao alone - other revolutionaries of the older generation played a part in forming and developing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deng-xiaoping/mao-zedong-thought-was-not-created-by-comrade-mao-alone-other/)

[Deng Xiaoping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deng-xiaoping/)

> [It's the camel's nose in the tent. Look at Stalin, Mussolini, Hitler, Mao Zedong, Pol Pot, Idi Amin--every one of these monsters, on seizing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlton-heston/it-s-the-camel-s-nose-in-the-tent-look-at-stalin-mussolini-hitler-mao/)

[Charlton Heston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlton-heston/)

> [“One of the most ugly aspects of life in Communist China during the Mao Zedong era was the Party’s demand that people inform on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nien-cheng/one-of-the-most-ugly-aspects-of-life-in-communist-china-during-the/)

[Nien Cheng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nien-cheng/)

> [ When he served in China during World War II, \[Ho Chi Minh\] learned about Mao Zedong's tactics of guerrilla war against the Japanese (and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-duiker/when-he-served-in-china-during-world-war-ii-ho-chi-minh-learned-about/)

[William J. Duiker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-duiker/)

> [Dalai Lama was leading his country during the rigors of World War II, he was in Beijing for a year in 1954; he was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pico-iyer/dalai-lama-was-leading-his-country-during-the-rigors-of-world-war-ii/)

[Pico Iyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pico-iyer/)

> [Two of my favorite political philosophers, Mao Zedong and Mother Teresa - not often coupled with each together, but the two people that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anita-dunn/two-of-my-favorite-political-philosophers-mao-zedong-and-mother-2/)

[Anita Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anita-dunn/)

> [The third lesson and tip actually comes from two of my favorite political philosophers: Mao Zedong and Mother Teresa — not often coupled with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anita-dunn/the-third-lesson-and-tip-actually-comes-from-two-of-my-favorite-2/)

[Anita Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anita-dunn/)

> [Another foreign-policy triumph for Reagan was his 1984 visit to China, where he met for more than three hours with Mao Zedong before realizing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-barry/another-foreign-policy-triumph-for-reagan-was-his-1984-visit-to-china/)

[Dave Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-barry/)

> [Two of my favorite political philosophers, Mao Zedong and Mother Teresa, not often coupled with each other, but the two people that I turn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anita-dunn/two-of-my-favorite-political-philosophers-mao-zedong-and-mother/)

[Anita Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anita-dunn/)

> [Today we reject the notion of equality between a regime that belongs to the democratic world - even if it is conservative and disagreeable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-michnik/today-we-reject-the-notion-of-equality-between-a-regime-that-belongs/)

[Adam Michnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-michnik/)

> [Oh, the truth, oh yeah, lot of trouble that got us into, didn't it, over the last maybe thousand years? Hitler knew the truth,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hopkins/oh-the-truth-oh-yeah-lot-of-trouble-that-got-us-into-didn-t-it-over/)

[Anthony Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hopkins/)

> [The influence of Sun Tzu on other North Vietnamese military strategists is harder to answer. Certainly many of the key leaders in Hanoi were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-duiker/the-influence-of-sun-tzu-on-other-north-vietnamese-military/)

[William J. Duiker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-duiker/)

> [The United States attorney in South Carolina was a Barack Obama appointee. Politically, he is to the left of Mao Zedong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trey-gowdy/the-united-states-attorney-in-south-carolina-was-a-barack-obama/)

[Trey Gowdy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trey-gowdy/)

> [Many of the ideas of Sun Tzu and Mao Zedong came naturally to the young Ho Chi Minh, who would probably have applied the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-duiker/many-of-the-ideas-of-sun-tzu-and-mao-zedong-came-naturally-to-the/)

[William J. Duiker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-duiker/)

## More by Deng Xiaoping

> [In the past there were too many portraits of Chairman Mao in China. They were hung everywhere. That was not proper and it didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deng-xiaoping/in-the-past-there-were-too-many-portraits-of-chairman-mao-in-china/)

[Deng Xiaoping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deng-xiaoping/)

> [China has a history of thousands of years of feudalism and is still lacking in socialist democracy and socialist legality. We are now working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deng-xiaoping/china-has-a-history-of-thousands-of-years-of-feudalism-and-is-still/)

[Deng Xiaoping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deng-xiaoping/)

> [Do not debate! is one of my inventions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deng-xiaoping/do-not-debate-is-one-of-my-inventions/)

[Deng Xiaoping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deng-xiaoping/)

> [Mao Zedong Thought was not created by Comrade Mao alone - other revolutionaries of the older generation played a part in forming and developing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deng-xiaoping/mao-zedong-thought-was-not-created-by-comrade-mao-alone-other/)

[Deng Xiaoping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deng-xiaoping/)

> [Chairman Mao was after all a principal founder of the Chinese Communist Party and the People's Republic of China. In evaluating his merits and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deng-xiaoping/chairman-mao-was-after-all-a-principal-founder-of-the-chinese/)

[Deng Xiaoping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deng-xiaoping/)

> [Absorbing foreign capital and technology and even allowing foreigners to construct plants in China can only play a complementary role to our effort to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deng-xiaoping/absorbing-foreign-capital-and-technology-and-even-allowing-foreigners/)

[Deng Xiaoping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deng-xiaoping/)

> [Poverty is not socialism. To be rich is glorious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deng-xiaoping/poverty-is-not-socialism-to-be-rich-is-glorious/)

[Deng Xiaoping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deng-xiaoping/)

> [At the higher stage of communism, when the productive forces will be greatly developed and the principle "from each according to his ability, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deng-xiaoping/at-the-higher-stage-of-communism-when-the-productive-forces-will-be/)

[Deng Xiaoping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deng-xiaoping/)

> [Black cat or white cat: If it can catch mice, it's a good cat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deng-xiaoping/black-cat-or-white-cat-if-it-can-catch-mice-it-s-a-good-cat/)

[Deng Xiaoping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deng-xiaoping/)

> [Chairman Mao's greatest contribution was that he applied the principles of Marxism-Leninism to the concrete practice of the Chinese revolution, pointing the way to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deng-xiaoping/chairman-mao-s-greatest-contribution-was-that-he-applied-the/)

[Deng Xiaoping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deng-xiaoping/)

> [According to Marx, socialism is the first stage of communism and it covers a very long historical period in which we must practise the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deng-xiaoping/according-to-marx-socialism-is-the-first-stage-of-communism-and-it/)

[Deng Xiaoping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deng-xiaoping/)

> [Let some people get rich first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deng-xiaoping/let-some-people-get-rich-first/)

[Deng Xiaoping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deng-xiaoping/)

> [The influence of the Gang of Four should not be underrated, but it should be noted that 97 or 98 per cent of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deng-xiaoping/the-influence-of-the-gang-of-four-should-not-be-underrated-but-it/)

[Deng Xiaoping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deng-xiaoping/)

> [In China, we intend to acquire advanced technology, science and management skills to serve our socialist production. And these things as such have no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deng-xiaoping/in-china-we-intend-to-acquire-advanced-technology-science-and/)

[Deng Xiaoping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deng-xiaoping/)

> [Any capitalism is superior to feudalism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deng-xiaoping/any-capitalism-is-superior-to-feudalism/)

[Deng Xiaoping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deng-xiaoping/)

[Explore all 56 Deng Xiaoping quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deng-xiaoping/)

## More Clear quotes

> [Self-respect and a clear conscience are powerful components of integrity and are the basis for enriching your relationships with others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/self-respect-and-a-clear-conscience-are-powerful-components-of/)

[Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/)

> [When I came to Chelsea, it was clear that, like many other players, I would first be loaned out. So I went to Belgium…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thorgan-hazard/when-i-came-to-chelsea-it-was-clear-that-like-many-other-players-i/)

[Thorgan Hazard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thorgan-hazard/)

> [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I think, here's what I've realized from interviewing people, and I've been very open about my Catholicism and my love of Christ and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mohr/i-think-here-s-what-i-ve-realized-from-interviewing-people-and-i-ve/)

[Jay Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mohr/)

> [If the audience likes your work, if they like you, they don't think whether you are married or have children or not. I made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimple-kapadia/if-the-audience-likes-your-work-if-they-like-you-they-don-t-think/)

[Dimple Kapadia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimple-kapadia/)

> [The thing about hitting kids is, think about if you were doing the same thing to another adult. Hitting your kid is really the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/the-thing-about-hitting-kids-is-think-about-if-you-were-doing-the/)

[Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/)

> [Where I grew up, learning was a collective activity. But when I got to school and tried to share learning with other students that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-giroux/where-i-grew-up-learning-was-a-collective-activity-but-when-i-got-to/)

[Henry Giroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-giroux/)

> [Clear moments are so short. There is much more darkness. More ocean than terra firma. More shadow than form.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-zagajewski/clear-moments-are-so-short-there-is-much-more-darkness-more-ocean/)

[Adam Zagajewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-zagajewski/)

> [I try to listen to all music with an open head, a clear head, try not to say just because I don't know it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ghostface-killah/i-try-to-listen-to-all-music-with-an-open-head-a-clear-head-try-not/)

[Ghostface Killah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ghostface-killah/)

> [God's Word does provide life lessons to teach us how to live. And it gives us beautiful poetry that gives voice to our human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-rothschild/god-s-word-does-provide-life-lessons-to-teach-us-how-to-live-and-it/)

[Jennifer Rothschild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-rothschild/)

> [ We have no clear ideas of the agency of \[demonic\] spirits, nor is it necessary. The Scripture says little to satisfy our curiosity; but… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-newton/we-have-no-clear-ideas-of-the-agency-of-demonic-spirits-nor-is-it/)

[John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-newton/)

> [I've always made it clear that I do not believe that global government is either necessary or feasible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-strong/i-ve-always-made-it-clear-that-i-do-not-believe-that-global/)

[Maurice Strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-strong/)

> [The moment it begins to question itself, the mind becomes so clear that it starts working with itself rather than with the body's identification.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/byron-katie/the-moment-it-begins-to-question-itself-the-mind-becomes-so-clear/)

[Byron Katie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/byron-katie/)

> [Alec Wilkinson is a spare, clear, and lucid writer who works in stylistic simplicity with material that is not simple at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-matthiessen/alec-wilkinson-is-a-spare-clear-and-lucid-writer-who-works-in/)

[Peter Matthiessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-matthiessen/)

> [ I can't imagine that I would be asked that by the president-elect \[Donald Trump\], or then-president \[Barack Obama\]. But it's - I'm very clear.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mattis/i-can-t-imagine-that-i-would-be-asked-that-by-the-president-elect/)

[James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mattis/)

[Browse all 7,410 Clear quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clear/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I would be quite content if I myself could be rated fifty-fifty in merits and demerits. But one thing I can say for myself: I have had a clear conscience all my life. Please mark my words: I have made quite a few mistakes, and I have my own share of responsibility for some of the mistakes made by Comrade Mao Zedong. But it can be said that I made my mistake with good intentions. There is nobody who doesn't make mistakes.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Deng Xiaoping"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deng-xiaoping/i-would-be-quite-content-if-i-myself-could-be-rated-fifty-fifty-in/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Clear"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deng-xiaoping/i-would-be-quite-content-if-i-myself-could-be-rated-fifty-fifty-in/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e46/deng-xiaoping-12190_clear_i-would-be-quite-content-if-i-myself-cou_1231208.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e46/deng-xiaoping-12190_clear_i-would-be-quite-content-if-i-myself-cou_1231208.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e46/deng-xiaoping-12190_clear_i-would-be-quite-content-if-i-myself-cou_1231208.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I would be quite content if I myself could be rated fifty-fifty in merits and demerits. But one thing I can…” — Deng Xiaoping",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Deng Xiaoping",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deng-xiaoping/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I would be quite content if...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deng-xiaoping/i-would-be-quite-content-if-i-myself-could-be-rated-fifty-fifty-in/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deng-xiaoping/i-would-be-quite-content-if-i-myself-could-be-rated-fifty-fifty-in/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
