Yang Zhu Quotes
Yang Zhu was a Chinese philosopher of the Warring States period, founder of the school traditionally known as the Yangist, who became famous in early Confucian polemic for the doctrine that one would not pluck a single hair from one's body even to benefit the empire. The Mencius portrays him, alongside Mozi, as one of the two great heretical voices of the age, and the seventh book of the Liezi, traditionally attributed to him, develops a hedonist and individualist philosophy of life. The quotes below are attributed to Yang Zhu, organized by topic.
Yang Zhu on Freedom
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Attributed to Yang Zhu:
“I would not pluck a single hair from my body to benefit the empire.”
Yang Zhu on Happiness
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Attributed to Yang Zhu:
“Reputation is a borrowed garment; it does not warm the bones in winter.”
Yang Zhu on Knowledge
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“Speech at the Military Affairs Commission Meeting (May 24, 1989)”
The Military Commission has decided to convene an emergency enlarged meeting and has asked the principally responsible comrades of all major units to attend. The main aim is to make one an-nouncement: that the present situation in Beijing is still chaotic. Although martial law has been declared, some of the martial law tasks have in fact not been carried out. Some army units enforcing martial law -
“To build a Chinese-type modernized and regularized revolutionary army, we should promote the revolutionization, modernization and regularization of the army. These are interrelated and promote each other, and none is indispensable. We should take the modernization of our army as our key task.”
Wikiquote -
“We stress the key task of modernization. Does this mean that we are allowed to neglect and weaken the revolutionization and regularization of the army? The answer is no. On the contrary, we should strengthen the revolutionization and regularization of the army; a higher level is attained with regard to the modernization of our army. Stricter demands are set on its revolutionization and regularization.”
Wikiquote -
“First of all, we should stress the main points and concentrate our forces on developing the most urgently needed defensive weapons and equipment Second, we should update the equipment in an orderly way and step by step, allowing the coexistence of outmoded and modern equipment and of ordinary and advanced technology.”
Wikiquote
Yang Zhu on Life
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Attributed to Yang Zhu:
“Life is given once; squander it not in the service of any abstraction.”
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Attributed to Yang Zhu:
“The wise man tends to his own life, and so the world about him quietly takes care of itself.”
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Attributed to Yang Zhu:
“Live for the day; tomorrow's empire is no concern of yours.”
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“The arrival of PLA troops in the vicinity of Beijing is definitely not aimed at dealing with students. They have not come here to deal with the students. Their aim is to restore the normal order of production, of life, of work in Beijing Municipality. At the same time, they aim to protect a number of important departments and major government organs. Therefore, the stationing of the PLA troops in the capital is aimed at maintaining public security. They are, by no means, directed at the students. Everyone will be able to clearly see their activities in the next few days [applause].”
Li Peng Delivers Important Speech On Behalf Of Party Central Committee And State Council" (1989)
Yang Zhu on Mind
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“Judging from the existing conditions, a modernized and regular revolutionary army with special Chinese characteristics should be one which conforms to our national conditions, which flexibly integrates advanced military thinking and fine traditions with modern weapons and equipment and competent military personnel, and which possesses the capacity to defend itself in modern warfare; in other words, a developed people's army with the tradition of people's war plus modern military science, weapons, and equipment.”
Wikiquote
Yang Zhu on Nature
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“Strengthening the building of a modernized army is a basic task of our army during the new historical period. It is also a matter of primary importance for safeguarding the security of the motherland and defending the four modernizations . The entire party and people throughout the country are paying a good deal of attention to this matter. Over the past 35 years since the founding of the People's Republic, our army has followed a tortuous course of development.”
Wikiquote
Yang Zhu on Politics
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“Li Peng Delivers Important Speech On Behalf Of Party Central Committee And State Council" (1989)”
First of all, I fully support the report and the various demands that Comrade Li Peng has made on behalf of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau . Beijing of late is actually in an anarchistic state. Basically, the work of government organs, classes in schools, transportation, industry, and so forth have all been thrown into a confused state. This confused state is, in reality, a state o -
“Li Peng Delivers Important Speech On Behalf Of Party Central Committee And State Council" (1989)”
The arrival of PLA troops in the vicinity of Beijing is definitely not aimed at dealing with students. They have not come here to deal with the students. Their aim is to restore the normal order of production, of life, of work in Beijing Municipality. At the same time, they aim to protect a number of important departments and major government organs. Therefore, the stationing of the PLA troops in -
“Li Peng Delivers Important Speech On Behalf Of Party Central Committee And State Council" (1989)”
That is to say that the PLA troops are compelled to enter the capital in order to restore the normal order in Beijing, maintain public security, and prevent important government organizations from being affected or stormed. I would like to explain this point clearly to all those who are present here. The PLA troops' arrival is definitely not aimed at dealing with the students. It is hoped that all