In the schools of the Western countries, there is always the subject ‘Religion.’ The Classics are China’s religion. Zhang Zhidong Read Quote
If, in the schools, the classical language would no longer be taught, whom could we entrust with the writing of memorials, documents, letters and notes in the public service? How could we possibly assign important offices and heavy responsibilities to someone who cannot even write fluently? Zhang Zhidong Read Quote
If a Chinese student does not know Chinese learning, it’s like a person without a surname, a horse without a bridle, a boat without a helm. The more Western learning he possesses, the more hateful of China he will become. Even if he becomes a capable man of vast learning, how can he be of any use to the state? Zhang Zhidong Read Quote
If the Chinese will not learn the true principles of government, all else will be useless. Knowledge is power, and although a country may be weak, still, if it possess but a modicum of knowledge, the enemy will not be able to completely overthrow it; although that country may be in danger, the race will not be extirpated. Zhang Zhidong Read Quote
How can we make sure that Confucianism is to be practiced? One must enforce it with power, and to have power, one must have a strong army. Zhang Zhidong Read Quote
There never yet has been a country which became powerful without knowledge. A man by his own strength alone cannot successfully combat a tiger, but by his intelligence, he can devise means to entrap him. Zhang Zhidong Read Quote
In order to defend the Chinese race, one must first defend the Confucian culture; and in order to defend the Confucian culture, one must first defend the State. This is because what preserves the race relies upon intelligence, which is in turn nurtured by Confucian education. Zhang Zhidong Read Quote
I understand that the tendency of foreign countries in recent years has been to establish particularly close relations with one or two others among all the countries which have general relations. In time of peace, they make secret treaties in advance, and in wartime, they aid one another with military provisions and armaments. Zhang Zhidong Read Quote
Primary education was in the first place to teach people to be good people. Only secondary education teaches people to also be useful people. Zhang Zhidong Read Quote
