在人民内部，民主是对集中而言，自由是对纪律而言。这些都是一个统一体的两个矛盾着的侧面，它们们是矛盾的，又是统一的，我们不应当片面地强调某一个侧面而否定另一个侧面。在人民内部，不可以没有自由，也不可以没有纪律；不可以没有民主，也不可以没有集中。这种民主和集中的统一，自由和纪律的统一，就是我们的民主集中制。在这个制度下，人民享受着广泛的民主和自由；同时又必须用社会主义的纪律约束自己。
——《关于正确处理人民内部矛盾的问题》（一九五七年二月二十七日），人民出版社版第五——六页
Within the ranks of the people, democracy is correlative with centralism and freedom with discipline. They are the two opposites of a single entity, contradictory as well as united, and we should not one-sidedly emphasize one to the denial of the other. Within the ranks of the people, we cannot do without freedom, nor can we do without discipline; we cannot do without democracy, nor can we do without centralism. This unity of democracy and centralism, of freedom and discipline, constitutes our democratic centralism. Under this system, the people enjoy extensive democracy and freedom, but at the same time they have to keep within the bounds of socialist discipline.
― "On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People" (February 27, 1957), 1st pocket ed., pp. 10-11.

必须重申党的纪律：（一）个人服从组织；（二）少数服从多数；（三）下级服从上级；（四）全党服从中央。谁破坏了这些纪律，谁就破坏了党的统一。
——《中国共产党在民族战争中的地位》（一九三八年十月），《毛泽东选集》第二卷第五一六页
We must affirm anew the discipline of the Party, namely:
(1) the individual is subordinate to the organization;
(2) the minority is subordinate to the majority;
(3) the lower level is subordinate to the higher level; and
(4) the entire membership is subordinate to the Central Committee.
Whoever violates these articles of discipline disrupts Party unity.
― "The Role of the Chinese Communist Party in the National War" (October 1938), Selected Works, Vol. II, pp. 203-04.*

党的纪律之一是少数服从多数。少数人在自己的意见被否决之后，必须拥护多数人所通过的决议。除必要时得在下一次会议再提出讨论外，不得在行动上有任何反对的表示。
——《关于纠正党内的错误思想》（一九二九年十二月），《毛泽东选集》第一卷第九二页
One requirement of Party discipline is that the minority should submit to the majority. If the view of the minority has been rejected, it must support the decision passed by the majority. If necessary, it can bring up the matter for reconsideration at the next meeting, but apart from that it must not act against the decision in any way.
― "On Correcting Mistaken Ideas in the Party" (December 1929), Selected Works, Vol. I, p. 110.

三大纪律如下：
（一） 一切行动听指挥；（二）不拿群众一针一线；（三）一切缴获要归公。
八项注意如下：
（一） 说话和气；（二）买卖公平；（三）借东西要还；（四）损坏东西要赔；（五）不打人骂人；（六）不损坏庄稼；（七）不调戏妇女；（八）不虐待俘虏。
——《中国人民解放军总部关于重行颁布三大纪律八项注意的训令》（一九四七年十月十日），《毛泽东选集》第四卷第一二四一页
The Three Main Rules of Discipline are as follows:
(1) Obey orders in all your actions.
(2) Do not take a single needle piece of thread from the masses.
(3) Turn in everything captured.
The Eight Points for Attention are as follows:
(1) Speak politely.
(2) Pay fairly for what you buy.
(3) Return everything you borrow.
(4) Pay for anything you damage.
(5) Do not hit or swear at people.
(6) Do not damage crops.
(7) Do not take liberties with women.
(8) Do not ill-treat captives.
― "On the Reissue of the Three Main Rules of Discipline and the Eight Points for Attention - Instruction of the General Headquarters of the Chinese People's Liberation Army" (October 10, 1947), Selected Military Writings, 2nd ed., p. 343.

必须提高纪律性，坚决执行命令，执行政策，执行三大纪律八项注意，军民一致，军政一致，官兵一致，全军一致，不允许任何破坏纪律的现象存在。
——《中国人民解放军宣言》（一九四七年十月），《毛泽东选集》第四卷第一二三九页
They [all officers and soldiers of our army] must heighten their sense of discipline and resolutely carry out orders, carry out our policy, carry out the Three Main Rules of Discipline and the Eight Points for Attention - with army and people united, army and government united, officers and soldiers united, and the whole army united - and permit no breach of discipline.
― "Manifesto of the Chinese People's Liberation Army" (October 1947), Selected Military Writings, 2nd ed., p. 340.