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Hu Shih
34quotes
Hu Shih
Full Name and Common Aliases
Hu Shih (1891-1962) was a renowned Chinese philosopher, diplomat, and educator. He is also known as Hu Shi.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on December 17, 1891, in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China, Hu Shih passed away on February 16, 1962, in New York City, USA.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Hu Shih was a Chinese national with multiple professions: philosopher, diplomat, educator, writer, and translator. He played significant roles in shaping modern China's intellectual landscape.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in a Confucian family, Hu Shih was deeply influenced by traditional Chinese values and culture. However, he soon became disillusioned with the rigid dogmatism of classical Confucianism. This led him to seek new ideas and knowledge from abroad, particularly from the West.
Major Accomplishments
Hu Shih is best known for his pioneering work in modernizing China's education system. He advocated for the introduction of Western-style universities, emphasizing critical thinking, scientific inquiry, and democratic values. His efforts helped establish Peking University (now Beijing University) as a hub for intellectual innovation and reform.
Notable Works or Actions
Hu Shih was an accomplished writer and translator. He wrote extensively on philosophy, history, and literature, often drawing parallels between Chinese and Western thought. One of his most notable works is the translation of Aristotle's "Metaphysics" into Chinese, introducing ancient Greek philosophy to a broader audience.
Impact and Legacy
Hu Shih's impact on modern China was profound. He played a key role in shaping the country's intellectual landscape during a time of rapid change. His advocacy for democratic values, critical thinking, and scientific inquiry helped lay the groundwork for China's eventual transition from imperial rule to a republic.
Hu Shih also served as China's ambassador to the United States (1938-1942), where he worked tirelessly to promote Chinese-American relations and foster greater understanding between their cultures. His experiences abroad broadened his perspectives on international cooperation and the interconnectedness of global issues.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Hu Shih is widely quoted for his insightful observations on philosophy, history, and politics. His writings often reflect a deep commitment to intellectual freedom, critical thinking, and humanistic values. As one of the most influential Chinese thinkers of the 20th century, Hu Shih continues to inspire scholars, policymakers, and individuals seeking to understand the complexities of China's modernization.
Throughout his life, Hu Shih remained devoted to the idea that education is a powerful tool for personal growth and societal transformation. His legacy serves as a testament to the enduring power of intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and humanistic ideals in shaping individual lives and collective futures.
Quotes by Hu Shih
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Even the absolute universality of the law of causality does not necessarily limit a person’s freedom, because the law of causality not only enables him to explain the past and predict the future, but also encourages him to use his intelligence to create new causes and attain new results.
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A group of slaves will never make a liberal and progressive country; such a country can be made up only of independent-minded and free-thinking people.
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The underlying sickness of human life is an unwillingness to look with open eyes at the condition of the world.
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![The sun exactly at noon is exactly [beginning to] go down. And a creature when he is born is exactly [beginning to] die.](/_vercel/image?url=https:%2F%2Flakl0ama8n6qbptj.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fquotes%2Fquote-2459709.png&w=1536&q=100)
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The sun exactly at noon is exactly [beginning to] go down. And a creature when he is born is exactly [beginning to] die.
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The most outstanding characteristic of Eastern civilization is to know contentment, whereas that of Western civilization is not to know contentment. Contented Easterners are satisfied with their simple life and therefore do not seek to increase their material enjoyment... They are satisfied with their present lot and environment and therefore do not want to conquer nature but merely be at home with nature and at peace with their lot.
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The knowledge that mankind needs is not the way or principle which has an absolute existence, but the particular truths for here and now and for particular individuals. Absolute truth is imaginary, abstract, vague, without evidence, and cannot be demonstrated.
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Even the absolute universality of the law of causality does not necessarily limit a person's freedom, because the law of causality not only enables him to explain the past and predict the future, but also encourages him to use his intelligence to create new causes and attain new results.
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Whenever you do something without asking yourself, "Why am I doing this?"-that is meaningless life... . The "why" of life makes it meaningful... . Only when an answer is given is one living life as a man.
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Grasp the opportunity with both hands to feel really very special as an Indian reading these quotes on the Indian Independence Day. A number of famous and reputed persons have thrown some light on the chapter of Indian Independence. India conquered and dominated China culturally for 20 centuries without ever having to send a single soldier across her border!"
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