Abstract: Young Mao Zedong's well-known saying "civilizing its spirit, toughing its body", which has a very far-reaching and widespread influence, should have been influenced by the similar ideas of Fukuzawa Yukichi of Japan, which were transmitted to China by Chen Duxiu and Cai E. However, this famous saying should have been first used by Mao Zedong and later transmitted across the world. When young Mao Zedong proposed the concept of "civilizing its spirit, toughing its body", he deeply criticized the traditional Chinese view of physical beauty and ugliness and physical movement, and proposed from a unique perspective the concept of strengthening the body, and giving equal importance to literature and martial arts. From the dimension of modern sports view, it adds a unique content for the New Culture Movement by criticizing the traditional cultural defects, transforming the national character and seeking a new way to save the country.

Key words: Young Mao Zedong, civilizing its spirit, toughing its body, the way to save the country