Chronology Entry
Year
1933
Text
Shaw, George Bernard. A message to the Chinese people [ID D27970].
I am flattered by this request for a message to the Chinese people, for it implies that I am a modern Confucius. I, however, cannot see myself in that magnitude.
The Chinese people cannot live on messages, and too many messages are not news for the press, and usually provide the dullest reading. Besides, I am at present trying to find out what message China has for me and for the West. Her history since the year 1911, when it is completed, will be the fullest instruction for students of political science. Then she will have achieved a complete cure for that disease called civilization, either by changing it to her own benefit or rejecting it altogether. In the meantime I can only look on and wonder what is going to happen. It is not for me, belonging as I do to a quarter of the globe which is mismanaging its affairs in a ruinous fashion, to pretend to advise an ancient people desperately striving to set its house in order.
Europe can give no counsel to Asia, except at the risk of the old rebuff 'Physician, heal thyself'. I am afraid I have likewise nothing to say in the present emergency except 'China, heal thyself'.
With China's people united who could resist her ?
I am flattered by this request for a message to the Chinese people, for it implies that I am a modern Confucius. I, however, cannot see myself in that magnitude.
The Chinese people cannot live on messages, and too many messages are not news for the press, and usually provide the dullest reading. Besides, I am at present trying to find out what message China has for me and for the West. Her history since the year 1911, when it is completed, will be the fullest instruction for students of political science. Then she will have achieved a complete cure for that disease called civilization, either by changing it to her own benefit or rejecting it altogether. In the meantime I can only look on and wonder what is going to happen. It is not for me, belonging as I do to a quarter of the globe which is mismanaging its affairs in a ruinous fashion, to pretend to advise an ancient people desperately striving to set its house in order.
Europe can give no counsel to Asia, except at the risk of the old rebuff 'Physician, heal thyself'. I am afraid I have likewise nothing to say in the present emergency except 'China, heal thyself'.
With China's people united who could resist her ?
Mentioned People (1)
Shaw, George Bernard
(Dublin 1856-1950 Ayot Saint Lawrence, Hertford) : Dramatiker, Schriftsteller ; Literatur-Nobelpreisträger 1925
Subjects
Literature : Occident : Ireland
Documents (1)
| # | Year | Bibliographical Data | Type / Abbreviation | Linked Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2002 | Chen, Wendi. The reception of George Bernard Shaw in China 1918-1996. (Lewiston : The Edwin Mellen Press, 2002). (Chinese studies ; vol. 21). S. 197. | Publication / Shaw7 |
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