I am extremely pleased to speak to you at such an early morning hour today. In all frankness, this is to me a brand new experience. For the first time in my life, I'm facing so many many "men and horses" that I am overwhelmed.
It has been eighteen years since I was here at Mt. Success myself. Things have changed quite a bit. More trees have been planted to make a forest in full growth. There are also more and better buildings and training facilities. The changes I have seen represent the development and progress of our country in miniature. I believe, however, that the basic spirit of Mt. Success remains unchanged. All of you still have the same crewcut and wear the same green uniform. To me, you all look like healthy, growing sap lings symbolizing inexhaustible energy and new hope.
In my recollection, I was just like you 18 years ago. With a crewcut and a little bag, I came up to Mt. Success. I was somewhat afraid. At the very beginning, most of us, as college and university students, were not quite accustomed to rigid control and training. The feeling of homesickness was responsible for our desire to get things over with and go home. Nevertheless, when we think of the 12 weeks of training, there are many things that merit our most comprehensive recall. We have learned lessons that will be useful to us the rest of our lives. As a pioneer trainee, I can say that we belong to the same "Mt. Success Generation." So, here I am to chat with you as one "Mountaineer" to another.
This reminds me of something that happened to me 15 years ago when I went to the United States to continue my studies at the University of California at Berkeley upon the completion of my undergraduate university education and my two years of reserve officers' active service. I wasn't staying in the dormitory at UC, because the nearer one lived to the university the higher were the rents. I was a poor student, so until I could find a job, I had to be content with quarters quite a distance from the place of my studies. Of course, I couldn't afford a car either and took the bus. The one-way fare was then 25 cents. That would mean 50 cents a day just to go back and forth and a lot of money at the time. An ordinary pocketsize book cost only 50 to 60 cents and a thicker one just a little over a dollar. So I hated to spend 50 cents a day on bus fare alone. Fortunately, I had a roommate who shared my feelings. He was, my fellow-trainee at Mt. Success. Day after day, we walked all the way to the university and back. That was certainly not so pleasant considering the great distance between our apartment and UC. So, we thought up a way to "enjoy life the hard way." It was simple. We sang while walking. What did we sing? The songs were those we learned at Mt. Success. Even though neither of us was much of a singer, we enjoyed the singing and before we knew it we had arrived. We never expected that the Mt. Success training in marching and singing would be so helpful.
I believe that basically life at Mt. Success has not changed so much in the past ten years or so. However, the M-1 rifles are no longer being used; and the songs we used to like so much are only fond memories.
As time has marched on, there have been constant changes in this society of ours. The younger generation has its own preferences. Its members have their own favorite songs, of which I was particularly moved by "The Dragon's Descendants.
I can't help sighing whenever I hear the song, which goes like this:
Yangtse's beauty I've not seen
Through its bright waters I glide in my dreams
Though I've not heard the Yellow River's roar
In my dreams her waters
I've heard from the shore
For thousands of years, melancholia has never ceased to circulate among intellectuals. What happens now? We cannot see the beauty of the Yangtse River. Why? We no longer hear the roaring of the Yellow River. Why? A gap now exists between our young people and the mainland and even between our historical traditions. Many call this a kind of geological fault. Why? The huge dragon of the ancient Orient no longer flies high and mighty over the horizon. Instead, it has been badly wounded and stranded in the shallow water, humiliated by even the shrimps. Why?
In his version, the author of "The Dragon's Descendants" says:
On the night many years ago
On the night of the big revolt
Gunfire broke through the quiet night
Others advance all around with their might
Sounds of the guns roar down through the years
Year after year and year after year
I think everyone agrees with this. The problems that China is facing today! The sufferings that China is going through! All these have their historical origins.
Since the 19th century, the Western countries and our neighbor Japan have moved far ahead of other nations in Asia and in Africa. Unfortunately, however, their nationalism has become imperialism. Their advances in science and technology and their achievements in economics have been turned into military strength to be used as a political force and tool for global expansion. They wanted to control almost the whole of the world. Consequently, and inevitably, our country and other Asian and African nations have had to face an unprecedented turn of events.
After China's contacts with the West, some people were attracted by material progress and were prepared to follow this example for our own national salvation. After repeated setbacks, our national confidence was lost. Western doctrines and theories followed science and technology into China. Our own moral civilization, the foundation of our nation, was degraded and forgotten.
In the wake of all this, China became the testing ground for all kinds of isms, including constitutional monarchy, restoration of monarchy, social ism and communism. All these isms were tested on our Chinese. As a result of these experiments, our country and millions of our compatriots paid an enormous and unprecedented price.
Not until the last 30 years did we Chinese on Taiwan, Kinmen, Matsu and Penghu finally find the direction and pattern that we should follow for our own development. After years of untiring efforts, we finally stand up on our own feet. Nevertheless, let us think more deeply and look around our world. The adverse current of appeasement still exists; power politics have taken a turn for the worse. People do not know what is right and what is wrong. They can no longer retain their courage and morals and are being stormed and attacked from all sides. On the basis of its prejudice and bias, the West is trying to smash our image and see that we do not keep our heads up in the community of nations. Even more regrettably, when such a false image takes shape in our own land, our people lose confidence and pride in their own country.
Our developments in politics, education, the economy and culture over the past 30 years have pushed our nation to a new milestone. This does not mean advancement in anyone particular aspect. It is the coordination of achievements in various fields that has made us what we are today. We all know that worldwide attention is now being centered on the economic achievements of the Republic of China. But economic development does not come from nothing. It must be based on social security, educational advance and, above all, on the sound minds and bodies of a diligent people led by a truly able government. Nonetheless, our economic achievements are the focus of global attention, probably because they are outstanding, visible and palpable.
For example, in its March 31 issue, the usually not-so-friendly Newsweek magazine published for the first time an article on the economic progress and prosperity of our country. The title was "The Juggernaut Economy."
The article highly compliments the economic growth of our nation. First of all, it points out that our wage scale is second only to Japan in Asia. Then it goes on to say we have overcome the difficulties resulting from the disruption of diplomatic relations between the Republic of China and the United States; that our increase in exports has been very rapid; that inflation has been kept to a minimum; that unemployment is virtually non-existent; and that our national income is moving upward. The article makes very generous remarks about the elevation of our people's standard of living, the effort to buy goods from the United States and balance Sino-American trade and our nuclear energy development program.
This article is representative of the universal recognition of our economic achievements. Even a foreign magazine that is usually biased in its reports about our country dares not deny our economic growth.
Even so, people abroad still make unfair and inaccurate comments. They judge our existing conditions with bias and prejudice. Deliberately or inadvertently, they libel and slander our country. To those who know very little of us, they give the impression that we are not free and democratic.
The so-called "old China hands" are very fond of talking about the political and social conditions of our nation many many years ago. Often they speak of the Northward Expedition, the War of Resistance Against Japan and the campaign to suppress the Chinese Communists. They emphasize all the unpleasant things that happened despite the chaotic, difficult, painful and uncontrolled circumstances. They play all these up to ridicule the government of the Republic of China, which they have labeled "corrupt, incompetent and despotic."
In actuality, the Republic of China has made countless achievements in the field of economy, politics, education and culture. Yet these "old China hands" defame the present for what was done in the past without justifiable motive. To us, this is really heartbreaking.
Over the past thirty years the Chinese Communists have never given up for even a minutes the attempt to subjugate us. While getting ready to cope with the Communists militarily, we have cautiously and consistently devoted ourselves to the development of education, culture, and constitutional rule. Our foreign critics say nothing about this. Instead, they repeat the slanderous remarks of the leftists and the secessionist elements. The idea is to cover up or to offset our economic achievements by ridiculing us politically. It could also be that to make their malicious political remarks more credible, they compliment us on our economic progress in order to create the false impression that their reporting has been fair and objective. They believe that if they keep on telling lies, people will believe them. So with the passage of time, foreign magazines and newspapers have gotten into the habit of mixing criticism with complimentary remarks about our country. They believe that this is just and fair.
I will cite another example. In 1974 the well known Collier Books, a division of Macmillan Publishing Co., published a book entitled Three Thousand Years: the Story of a Great Civilization. The book was written by Heren and Louis and others. A picture on page 252 shows our late President Chiang Kai-shek standing beside Henry Puyi, puppet emperor of Manchukuo. Anyone with some knowledge of Chinese history is aware that the Republic of China never recognized Japanese- sponsored Manchukuo. What is more, our late President never in his life met Henry Puyi. According to the book, the picture was taken in 1935, a year in which our late President never left the country. It was even more improbable that Henry Puyi could get out of so-called Manchukuo to meet President Chiang Kai-shek. Evidently the picture was forged to distort historical facts and back up such a lie as "it was the Chinese Communists who were fighting the War of Resistance Against Japan."
An introduction on the back cover has this to say in its last paragraph: "The contributors to China's Three Thousand Years are among the world's leading authorities on China and Chinese affairs." Today the Republic of China still stands strong. Yet the so-called "old China hands" had the nerve to fabricate such a self-evident lie. This is indeed deplorable and disheartening.
The Chinese are always of the opinion that there are certain things that a good man would not do. The Chinese Communists, however, would do anything and go to any extreme. They are very good at using evil-minded intellectuals to blow trumpets. During the "cultural revolution," they made use of people like Han Su-ying to tell the world of the greatness of the "revolution" that would assure "China's progress." They wrote articles and went around the world making speeches. Time brought changes. The new ruling class on the mainland criticized and fought against the "cultural revolution." These so-called "authors," including the western professors I just mentioned, have sunk so low as to become the echo of the despotic rule of the Chinese Communists. This being the case, we cannot but feel that the academic and cultural conscience, morals and sense of justice in this world have dwindled and diminished to a new low.
Such so-called "historical works" distorting truth have disheartened us immensely. Neither the Republic of China nor the perpetrators are benefited. However, the traditional spirit of our nation tells us that distortions notwithstanding, we must refrain from seeking a· "tooth for a tooth." We Chinese are in our right mind. During World War II, the Germans were under Fascist rule and persecuted the Jews. Yet we would not now ask the Germans if they still wanted to do the same thing. In early days, the United States made things very difficult for Chinese workmen. Yet today we would not ask the Americans if they still feel discrimination against Chinese-American. No nation is infallible. We would not use minor faults as an excuse to discriminate against Americans. Because of our national heritage, we Chinese would not lash out at aliens merely because of insults inflicted upon us by foreign mass media. History tells us that the Boxer Rebellion aimed at foreigners did not help us solve our problems. Instead, it interfered with our progress. A Chinese proverb says: "If you make a mistake, correct it; if you didn't, avoid making it." When we hear of any criticism, our first reaction is to ask ourselves whether we have made such a mistake without knowing it. If we did, our attitude should be: "It's always good to learn from one's mistakes." If the criticism is uncalled for, we should not "turn the other cheek." In addition to refuting any distortion of facts and clarifying things, we should caution ourselves to stay away from such mistakes. At the same time, we should strengthen ourselves. There is a Chinese saying: "Heavenly bodies move steadily and consistently; the good people stop at nothing to improve themselves." This is precisely the point.
Young friends, you have just heard me say many unpleasant, annoying and indignant things. Yet you were asked not to antagonize others or seek revenge. You are hot-blooded patriots and may not think this way.
If we think carefully, we will know that protest and clarification are realistically justified. But it would not do our country any good if our indignation took the shape of anti-foreign sentiment and we had the urge to be vengeful. Aside from protest and clarification, it is important to develop our own strength and regain our confidence as a healthy, constructive and progressive nation. If we do that, no one will pick on us forever and ever.
Looking more deeply, we find the Chinese believe in and strive for forgiveness. This has been a special characteristic in the development of the Chinese race over the last several thousand years. Many ancient sages and philosophers spent all their lives extolling and promoting this very fine Chinese virtue. Disciple Tzu Kung once asked Confucius if there was one word of advice that would be useful throughout all one's life. Forgiveness, replied Confucius, and added: "Do not do to others what you would not have others do to you." Equipped with a history and culture which has endured for several thousand years and a fine tradition which has gone through considerable filtering and clarification, we Chinese should ask more of ourselves and less of others. Or should we?
I adhere to this principle of introspection, not because it is inherent but because I had the benefit of words of counsel from teachers, superiors, relatives and friends. In this respect, I remember well the words of my company leader at Mt. Success. They had a far-reaching effect on me.
This was what happened: One day, I joined several others in cleaning up the barracks. Most of us moved the wash basins, stooped to clean the floor under the bunks a bit and then left. It could be that I was too serious about my work that day. I crawled under the bed and really cleaned the floor. I was so absorbed in the cleaning that I missed the call to dinner. When I finished, I was sweating all over and found everyone was gone. I hurried to the dining hall where the trainees had almost finished their meal. As young soldiers, you are able to understand how badly I felt. My company leader noticed that I didn't look so well. After dinner, he comforted me. More important were his words of encouragement. He told me that I should be brave and pull myself together. I shall never forget what he told me: Soon you will graduate from the university to become a member of society. Along life's journey, you are bound to run in to things you dislike. Maybe you will continue your studies abroad. In a foreign society, there are things that may seem unbearable. If you can't stand what you have just been through, you won't get very far. Frustrations and setbacks are inevitable in life. If you can't take them and try to blame God or others and even give up, your case will be hopeless. On the other hand, if you ask more of yourself, try your best and continue your struggle with a peaceful mind and a clear conscience, your heart will be at peace and you will be rewarded with tranquillity.
As your senior, I want to tell you that in aging I am going through more and more. With increasing responsibilities, I realize more fully the value of Chinese tradition in doing things and dealing with people, even as I was told by my company leader, my parents, my teachers and friends. Such old traditions are as good as new and they are workable. Given modem interpretations, these traditional theories will take on new meanings. When I am angry, confused, perplexed or worried, they usually help me quiet down, find my way, accept challenges and do what I have to do.
As I have said previously, you are young and growing trees. You are the new strength of our very promising country. If I offer you the experience of middle-aged men who share my views and if I remind you that you should never belittle but go into the spirit and true meaning of our old traditions and carry them out to the best of your ability, you can avoid walking in the dark as we did in our time. You will be on the right track in your struggle. Your contributions to society and the nation will surpass those of my generation.
On the basis of this realization, I always manage to calm down and think carefully whenever leftists, foreign politicians and overseas secessionists try to hurt us with their fabrications, though I cannot help being indignant and disheartened. Of course, I must do what my duty tells me.
To express the feeling that "this is the end of the world" and to show anger and pain would not help. In time of adversity, the nation needs patriotic people, more enthusiasm, more loyalty, more service and more dedication. The fact is that only when the people are worthy can there be a worthy nation.
So in the midst of this evil storm, my colleagues and I cannot and will not lose our self-confidence and dignity. Instead, we have stimulated and aroused the pride of our people. We have cautioned and encouraged one another. We are more than ever determined to dedicate ourselves to the nation. Step by step we will accomplish what we have to accomplish. Do not let frustrations get you down. Respond appropriately with an attitude of being neither obsequious nor arrogant. We have a long way to go. There is so much more to be done. We must keep up our life, our work and the development of our country. To meet adversities, we must strengthen our resolve. The more frustrations we encounter, the stronger our nation becomes. We will never lose heart merely because we are angry and heartbroken.
Let me be frank with you. If you do some deep thinking when you are under great strain in a difficult and isolated situation, that would be a blessing. But time goes on and the stage of world affairs keeps moving. We cannot afford to hesitate. We must take action. To do so, we must continue to communicate with other countries. There must be tolerance on our part. Tolerance to the extent that we must swallow with blood the teeth that have been slapped down. There must be confidence that truth will triumph and justice prevail. This will not be easy.
However, if you have to shoulder heavy responsibilities, and if you have to forge ahead with your weapons, you need courage, confidence and, above all, unchanging will power. It is at these crucial moments that the words of 'counsel from your parents and teachers will come back to you and make you want to put them in command. Time after time you will try them out and the accumulated experience will make you realize that these teachings are words of great wisdom and not "the same old stuff." I have had such experiences myself and my feelings of joy and comfort from being their beneficiary are beyond description. My attitude toward these teachings is this. First, I thought they were right. Then I had my doubts. Finally I was positive they are nothing but the truth and the whole truth.
For a time, there was the notion that the Chinese philosophical and traditional thinking was too conservative and isolated. This tended to result in some anti-traditional sentiments among more progressive people. Yet having gone through many changes, these people, like myself, did some sound thinking. They are now trying to apply the relevancy of Chinese traditional culture and philosophy to today's world.
On the afternoon of July 27, TTV had a special program introducing an American NBC report entitled "If Japan can, why can't we?" The program sought to determine why Japan's productive power and efficiency are tops in the world. The conclusion credited Japan's practice of Confucian teachings, the essence of which are truthfulness and thoughtfulness in addition to filial piety and brotherhood. These teachings also emphasize harmonious human relationships lessening frictions between people and enhancing their affection. If such cordial human relationships are developed in our society and in our factories, this could be a great help to our economic development.
The TTV program received a big response. We find articles in our newspapers and magazines discussing this problem. As a matter of fact, Mr. Yasuhiro Nagasonei, member of the Japanese Diet, made a statement along the lines of the program under the title "If I were elected Japan's prime minister." He said, "The Japanese attitude toward society is different from that of foreign people ... How is it that the Japanese have a spirit that foreigners do not have? The reason is simple. Japan is a nation that is based on Confucius' teachings."
He also pointed out that the world's most rapidly developing countries — the Republic of China, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Singapore — are all under the influence of Confucian teachings. Their people possess such fine qualities as discipline, enthusiasm and diligence.
Today Japan's development has reached a point where the United States must learn from it. Why? According to Mr. Nagasonei, Japan has been greatly benefited by Confucian culture. We may say that a nation which respects individual rights and at the same time goes ahead with development as a whole is well qualified to have a democratic government and a free economy. To be more explicit, to assure that democracy and a free economy will not go too far but will work properly, there must be simultaneous emphasis on individual responsibility, social order and national development. Such special characteristics of national culture have long been recognized by scholars the world over. Insofar as the recent economic progress of the Republic of China, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Singapore is concerned, many scholars call them countries of "neo-Confucian cultures." They unanimously agree that such a gigantic, noble and traditional culture has developed into a force that cannot be overlooked in the present age. Confucian civilization had its origin in China and was extended to Japan and Korea. If Japanese and Koreans take such great pride in this culture, how can we take it so lightly? Isn't it deplorable that we have to search for something which was originally ours?
Even if the old traditional system no longer suits modem social needs, the spirit behind this philosophy still has its unchanging and eternal values. Nonetheless, traditional Chinese culture and principles for dealing with people and doing things are now threatened. They have been destroyed on the Chinese mainland. In our own increasingly commercialized society, they are deliberately or inadvertently neglected. This is a great pity.
I have very limited knowledge of Chinese learning and am not qualified to talk with you about it. Still, I am here today, calling on young friends not to spurn our tradition or disavow the values of our culture. The idea is to offer for your reference my experience and that of friends of my age.
The best part of traditional Chinese philosophy is its inner spirit. So long as you have it in you, you can overcome difficulties and move ahead with the times and continuing improvements. However, if you retain only the external appearances of our tradition in complete disregard of its true values, there can be no benefits whatsoever. A tradition of a long period with idealistic and realistic entanglements is bound to produce useless side effects. Yet it also conveys a spirit that can never be erased. If you think carefully and work on the matter seriously, you will feel the true value of such a traditional spirit.
As far as I can make out, the Chinese tradition of dealing with people and doing things can be summarized in two Chinese characters — Chung and Shu. Chung means to be honest and fair and Shu to be considerate. If these could be implemented as intended, you would gradually be free from fear and worry and your consciences would be clear.
Situations may change. Rules and systems also change. But the fundamental principles of human relationships and noble ideals can never change. If you do the right thing as you are supposed to, there should be no regrets. If we try hard according to principle, we may not be able to predict the outcome. Yet in our struggle and despite setbacks along the way, we shall enjoy many beautiful things and can seek perfection. The real gains are often acquired along the journey of our struggle. What you have gone through will make you more mature and more tenacious and help you attain a higher objective. This way you will march forward step by step and reach your destination successfully. Even if you didn't, you would gain something.
Many people believe that the greatest value of traditional Chinese culture is the spirit of "doing what you have to do." This can be turned into a formidable power to cope with adversities and move ahead. Realistic human nature is far from ideal. The world has changed because men are seeking material satisfactions. There is a Chinese saying: "The world is declining in moral values and the people's inclination and disposition are no longer what they used to be." This should not be construed as an exaggeration or a shocking statement. But what should we do?
Should we be critical or drift with the winds? Neither is any good. In the philosophy of life, this is pessimism. It cannot help people to live a peaceful, happy and meaningful life. Nor can it be useful in making overall improvements. The right attitude is: "I am the one to do it." Make yourself the immovable pillar of strength amidst the evil waves of the open sea.
I was particularly impressed with some quotations from Lung Yu (the Confucian Analects). One of them says: "A youth, when at home, should be filial, and abroad, respectful to his elders. He should be earnest and truthful. He should love all and cultivate the friendship of the good. When he still has time and strength, after the performance of these things, he should employ them in polite studies." Another one goes like this: "Let his words be sincere and truthful, and his actions honorable and careful; such conduct may be practiced among the savage tribes." Now just one more of Confucius' sayings: "In retirement, one must be courteous; in the management of business, reverently attentive; in intercourse with others, strictly sincere. Even among rude, uncultivated tribes, these qualities cannot be neglected."
Let me cite you some practical examples. You have heard of the old Chinese saying: "You must not have the intention to harm people; but you should have the foresight to guard against them." Some people use this as their guideline. As a simple man, I naturally do not have the intention to harm people. I even find it difficult "to guard against people." In fact I do not know who to guard against and who not to guard against. Then, too, I am not sure of the extent to which precautions should go. Since this is so troublesome, I prefer to be myself and use the natural and simple way. In getting along with people and doing things, my attitude has always been as simple and sincere as possible. A person guards against another. To be on the safe side, the other guards a little tightly. This vicious cycle of suspicion can become such that this society of ours will not be much of a place in which to live. The resulting situation could be dreadful beyond imagination.
All these years I have treated people with simplicity and sincerity. This may be a dumb or lazy way but experience shows me it has conveyed great benefits. My superiors have been most generous in offering me all the assistance they could. My friends and colleagues have unreservedly given me their counsel, support, suggestions and help of all kinds. Even those I do not know have come to enlighten me with their suggestions. So if you think I, your good friend, haven't done so badly, and if you want my advice, I would offer you this: "Be honest and truthful with people and be diligent and faithful in doing your job."
In life, easy sailing is not for all of us. There are bound to be stormy days. When you run into difficulties along life's way, you may remember one early morning the words which your good friend James Soong told you at Mt. Success. If you put them into practice seriously, you will find them very useful. They will help you not to lose heart in difficult times and not to get carried away in your better days. Do not lose your heads when you are victimized by slanderous accusations. It's always darkest before the dawn.
All of you studied the "Four Books" in senior high school. To prepare for the examinations, you must have worked very hard to memorize them. Yet probably you did not go deeply into the relationship between the hidden spirit of these books and our practical life. After you were admitted to the university, you were still in touch with the "Four Books" in your Chinese class. Yet you probably still haven't thought of using them in your everyday life. I hope very much that you can be positive about the true value of our traditional philosophy and that you have the determination to practice it. Constant thinking and experimenting will benefit you immensely.
At this point, I wish to congratulate you for your good fortune in being admitted to the universities. You have gotten yourself a key — a key to open the door of learning and knowledge with which it will be easier for you to acquire a more accurate idea of life and its value. This will facilitate your individual progress and overall development.
With a college education, you can consider yourself an intellectual. So let us talk about your responsibilities.
The primary responsibility of an intellectual is to search for and broaden his knowledge. People naturally want to know everything but this is impossible. As an intellectual, you must be faithful in your work and steadfast in your purpose. There seems to be a gap between the world in action and the intellectual. But that is not so important. Men's civilizations keep forging ahead for one main reason: the enlargement of knowledge. So intellectuals have heavy responsibilities and long-range missions. Both in giving or taking knowledge, the intellectual must be sincere and serious in doing his best.
An ideal intellectual should be wise, ambitious, determined to forge ahead, courageous, responsible and just. He does not consider himself a gentleman; yet he manifests the traditional Chinese heritage of a man of learning. "Plan and worry before others and enjoy the fruits afterward:" such is the guide line for the conduct and goals of a Chinese intellectual. The modem interpretation of this saying would be: Fulfill your obligations before enjoying the privileges. Or ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.
Let us apply this in practical life. Some years ago, a few students who had gone abroad to continue their studies claimed they were "neutral," "objective" and "staying away from politics." They spoke of the Chinese Communists and the Republic of China as "You all... so forth and so forth" and "they, this and that... " It seems that they had nothing to do with Chinese problems.
If they do not consider their roots are in their own country, the concept of dedication cannot occur to them. As passersby, they do not have feelings and therefore can never improve themselves. They will always play the role of unrealistic and non-participating critics.
Some years ago when I was at the university in the United States, I noted there were a large number of Indian students. In quality, they were outstanding among foreign students. Yet with regard to India's internal problems, their attitude was (in the words of a Chinese saying) "watching the other side of the river in flames," Very few Indian students went back to serve their own country. The excuse for their not returning was that there was no room for development because of unfavorable conditions in India. This prevented well-balanced development in various fields. Some might participate in heavy industry with its good pay. They might even be able to make an atom bomb. But they refrained from basic construction work concerning society. Consequently, things are getting more difficult for the Indian people and the gap between the rich and the poor remains. The situation gets worse whenever a drought or flood breaks out. What have these high-level intellectuals done to help their country and their people?
Practically speaking, I firmly believe that "It is better to suggest than to criticize and even better to serve than to suggest," We must all have the spirit to serve and to dedicate. To the best of our ability, each of us should seriously engage in work to help solve the problems of our society. In the process of work, criticism and compliments are unavoidable. Don't let them affect you. If all of us can keep our confidence and courage and go ahead with our own work conscientiously and enthusiastically, there is certainly' great hope for our society and our country.
After being admitted to the university, you will feel that life is much easier than that in high school. There are clubs of all kinds in colleges and universities: you can take part in many colorful extracurricular activities: excursions, camping, barbecues, folk dancing, bridge games, ball games, swimming, drama, movies, Chinese opera singing, foreign language training, photography and so on. All these are worthwhile since they help build up sound minds or bodies. But if you could spend some of your time to join in activities of a service or philanthropic nature, it would be good for you and for society as a whole. You can offer help and comfort to those in orphanages, homes for the old and hospitals in nearby and distant places. Use your learning and energy to do something useful and meaningful.
You may be curious to know how you can be benefited by serving others. While you are untiringly and selflessly engaged in doing something good for others, you will learn a lot. Possibly you may learn it is "more blessed to give than to receive." If you give and help others, you will prove the value of your existence; you will make others think highly of you; you will treasure your health, love and other gifts of good fortune; finally, you will have feelings of gratitude and contentment.
Ours is an ever-changing society. But one basic fact never changes. From the womb to the tomb, we all need the care and concern of other people, without which there would be uncertainty, loneliness and solitude. Just a little care and service may be the bandage to heal a broken heart. Through your comfort and consolation, many of the unfortunate may regain a well-balanced and progressive outlook.
We all want to be appreciated. Let us use the same feeling to encourage others. We all like to have the concern of others. By the same token, let us help others. You cannot measure love and care. The important thing is whether or not you are willing to offer them to others. If everyone can positively cultivate the land around him, there will be a great green plantation. If everyone gives all he has, ours will be a society of harmony and progress.
In service and dedication, a feeling of the value of our existence comes back to us. We learn how to be grateful and contented. With a peaceful mind, we more often look on the bright side of things. This helps make us more optimistic, active and generous. This also helps us to be more sympathetic toward and tolerant of the mistakes of others and to know how to be our own best selves as we benefit others by praising the good and reprimanding the bad.
By raising such lofty and noble feelings, you will no longer be narrow-minded and complaining. You will despise doing bad things and befriending darkness and sin. It must be made explicitly clear that to "despise" does not mean "to be afraid," Sins can never tempt people who despise them. On the other hand, they can easily overcome people who are "afraid" of them.
Through self-elevation, you will come to possess lofty sentiments and an open mind, and conduct yourselves accordingly. As your hearts are at peace, wisdom and abilities will emerge. Of course you will be benefited.
Many university students have been led astray because of their colorful extracurricular activities. They have forgotten the ordeal of passing the exam for admission to the university. This is a great pity. Because of the development of commerce and industry and ensuing social prosperity, our standard of living is being maintained at a high level. It would not be reasonable to think of returning to the simple and primitive life of a Confucian age. However, if some simple and pure feelings can be maintained at a time of material satisfactions, this would be very beneficial to our young people.
People with noble and profound thoughts are actually simple and sincere. They know how to simplify matters that are complicated. They mean what they say. They are frank and open-minded. They love others and get along well with them. They like their work. They are very approachable. A good life is one leading from complexity to simplicity and triumphing over confusion. When an idea is being confused, distorted or even reversed, dedicate yourself to the preservation and enforcement of truth, justice and universal love.
"To serve is the fountain of happiness" it is said in the book Guidelines for Young People. From childhood to coming of age, you may not think very much of this golden rule, but it means a lot. Many codes of traditional morals passively ask people not to do this and that. Others tell us how to become a perfect man. Teachings of traditional morals may arouse the ill feelings of some people. Yet the inner spirit can bring harmony and happiness and help people keep the clear conscience and pure memory upon which hinge the ultimate noble goals of mankind. Only when you are honest and open-minded and only when you are willing to serve can there be happiness and a truly beautiful life. The spirit of traditional morals is to bring overall harmony and brotherhood to mankind. This is the truth derived from the experience of our ancestors. This can also be the wisdom we have learned from our mistakes. By putting the essence of it into practice, all humankind will be benefited.
Allow me to repeat myself. I have taken a lot of your precious time. I have said a great deal too much. But I want to remind you again that our country is in a very difficult situation and we are running into a lot of things that are very confusing. Expressions of anxiety and sighs are useless. The nation needs further reforms and development; it urgently needs as many young men as possible to take part in constructive endeavors of all kinds. Such participation is not confined to criticism of elections and other political affairs. It should be extended to construction in every distant corner of our country.
We are so hopeful of your becoming useful members of our working staff, so hopeful of your being successors who will do better than your predecessors, that we must remind you of one very important point. In addition to acquiring professional know-how, you must not neglect the goals Chinese intellectuals have been pursuing for years. An intellectual must not try only to benefit himself but all others. In the words of an old Chinese saying: "With the heart of a sage, do as a benevolent man would do."
Of course, this doesn't mean government employees are in a big rush to pass their responsibilities on to you while they get paid for nothing and wait for the takeover. They will continue to do their duties cautiously and prudently. They will do their best to set a good example for you. We do hope that when the baton is passed on to you, you will catch it firmly and swiftly move ahead to do better than we did.
To maintain the national growth and strength is our highest goal. Intervention, adversities and slander from outside cannot hurt us. As young men with fine qualities, you will join hands with us in our efforts to bring about the rebirth and creative power of our national culture. In so doing, you will extricate your country from its present hardship and privation. You will also assure the attainment of national unity in the midst of confusion and disunity and reconstruction amidst the ruins.
We must encourage and caution each other. We should never lose our direction because of our rich material life. We must take care of the heritage of our predecessors and pass it on to our successors. We must have the ambition to create a new vista. We should try to understand the significance of Chinese traditional culture. This can be achieved through deep thinking and consistent practice. We must pass on our national life, the torch of history and, above all, the best parts of our culture. We must pass on this ancient civilization of ours to a nation based on freedom, democracy, abundance of wealth, happiness, unity, peace and universal love.
I am sure you all have such an ambition, and are hopeful of becoming the dragon's descendants. Yet you may feel that this objective is a bit too profound or beyond your understanding. It is not really difficult to become a descendant of the dragon. Everyone need only open his eyes to the difficulties of the nation and the needs of society. Everyone must have the willingness to keep forging ahead. Everyone must have the sincere desire to love his fellow countrymen and his own country and to serve and dedicate himself to the well-being of society. Everyone must give his best in relation to people and things with honesty, truth and diligence. By looking back and ahead, we must shoulder the responsibilities imposed on us by history. In doing so, we will gradually accomplish the goals of a Chinese saying: "Knowledge through diligence in studies; benevolence through vigorous practice; courage through humiliation." On this basis, we all can strive to create a new national image. As President Chiang Ching-kuo has said, we should have such fine virtues as "great wisdom, great benevolence and great courage." A well organized person of such ambition and determination is qualified to be "a descendant of the dragon."
There is great hope for the future of each and every individual, for the livelihood of the people and for the development of our nation. Everything depends on insight and undeviating practice. The ancient dragon of the Orient, though badly hurt and stranded in shallow waters, will penetrate the fog and clouds to reach the sky above. With this in mind, I have made a few changes in the wording of the song "The Dragon's Descendants" as a guideline for our mutual encouragement. The new version reads:
The dream of righting insults of 100 years gone past,
The bell of self-reliance stirs our soul at last.
The huge dragon slumbers in the still depths of the night,
Our just and fiery sword puts yesterday's meekness to flight.
So near and yet so far must range the vision of our dreams,
But true descendants of the dragon shoulder duty's heavy beams.
Huge dragon! Huge dragon! Wake quickly from your sleep!
Descendants! Descendants! The fire is in your keep!
The ancient dragon of the Orient emerges from the night,
Grow up quickly, true descendants, and show the world our might!
Descendants! Descendants! Your roots of love grow deep.
In conclusion, I should like to offer you my blessings in the words of this song:
Descendants! Descendants! Grow up quickly, You will be the dragon's descendants forever and forever.
The original poem of The Dragon's Descendants
Through the Chinese countryside the Yangtse River flows
Through the Chinese countryside the Yellow River goes
Yangtse's beauty I've not seen
Through its bright waters I glide in my dreams
Though I've not heard the Yellow River's roar
In my dreams her waters I've heard from the shore
In the ancient Orient the Chinese dragon is
In the ancient Orient the dragon's descendants in great throngs live
Seeds of the mighty dragon all
Under its feet from the time we were small
Brown eyes black hair and yellow skin
Dragon's descendants forever we've been
On the night many years ago
On the night of the big revolt
Gunfire broke through the quiet night
Others advance all around with their might
Sounds of the guns roar down through the years
Year after year and year after year
Great Dragon Great Dragon! Light up your eyes forever forever
Light up your eyes