Quote#Heart
Moreover, the argument for national polity, for Christianity, and for…
Quote byFukuzawa Yukichi · 1835–1901
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Bunmeiron no Gairyaku [An Outline of a Theory of civilization] (1875)..
English (original)
Moreover, the argument for national polity, for Christianity, and for Confucianism... are also insufficient to bolster people’s hearts. What, then, will? I say there is one thing: namely, to establish our goal and advance toward civilization... The way in which to preserve this independence cannot be sought anywhere except in civilization.
— Fukuzawa Yukichi
More from Fukuzawa Yukichi
Seen in this light, civilization is an open-ended process. We cannot be satisfied with the present level of attainment of the West.
We do not have time to wait for the enlightenment of our neighbors so that we can work together toward the development of Asia.
In its broad sense, civilization means not only comfort in daily necessities but also the refining of knowledge and the cultivation of virtue so as to elevate human life to a higher plane
Each individual man and each individual country, according to the principles of natural reason, is free from bondage. Consequently, if there is some threat that might infringe upon a country’s freedom, then that country should not hesitate …
It is said that heaven does not create one man above or below another man. Any existing distinction between the wise and the stupid, between the rich and the poor, comes down to a matter of education.
Whatever happens in the country, whatever warfare harasses our land, we will never relinquish our hold on Western learning. As long as this school of ours stands, Japan remains a civilized nation of the world.