| The Cultivation of Human Beings is of vital | | | | revolution and capitalism,Western powers have |
| importance to any great undertaking.In the face | | | | domainated the world in the realms of economics |
| of the surging new industrial recolution and intense | | | | and culture.However,this began to change after |
| worldwide competition,how to educate and mould | | | | the economic upsurge of East Asia.Aprominent |
| people may decide the destiny of a nation.The | | | | American politician commented that the 21st |
| fittest survive,and the weak perish---this applies | | | | century would be an era of the Confucian |
| to nations as well as to nature.Human | | | | oriented Asian Pacific economic sphere.Athough |
| beings,however,are the decisive factor. | | | | some people still hold that Confucian culture |
| Some scholars of world renown point out that in | | | | impeded East Asia's economic development and |
| modern Western societies,material production has | | | | social progress,this prejudice has been disproved |
| greatly expanded thanks to high technology,but | | | | by facts and should be discarded. |
| ethical stangards and social morals have rapidly | | | | The quintessence of traditional Chinese culture can |
| declined.They note that mounting social problems | | | | be epitomized as the harmonious coexistence of |
| have seriously impeded the progress of | | | | man and nature,and the great harmony of |
| society.They warn that the human race could be | | | | mankind.Chinese philosophy regards mankind as |
| destroyed by its own scientific achievements | | | | the centre of all beings who can decide their own |
| unless moral education and scientific education go | | | | destiny and achieve aternal peace.The philosophy |
| hand in hand.They even suggest that"for the sake | | | | stresses that one has to establish one's own |
| of mankind's survival beyond the 21st century,we | | | | values and maintain a proper outlook on life and |
| should seek enlightenment from the Chinese | | | | the world.This idea is also of universal |
| sage---Confucius." | | | | significance.Taken as a whole,there are also some |
| The phenomenal economic success of Japan and | | | | negative points in the traditional Chinese |
| the "four lesser Asian dragons" since the 1960s | | | | culture.But it would be unfair to ascribe all the |
| has astonished the world.This region is in the | | | | dross of feudal society to traditional Chinese |
| Oriental or East Asian cultural realm,characterised | | | | culture. |
| by the Confucian philosophy as its | | | | In a decade of reform and opening since the early |
| mainstream,particularly in terms of social | | | | 1980s,China has undergone monumental |
| ethics.Scholars may have different assessments | | | | changes,and its achievements have stunned the |
| of the influence of Confucianism om the | | | | world.As the economy surges forward in the |
| development of the East Asian economy,but they | | | | course of transformation from a planned to a |
| differ only on the extent and magnitude of such | | | | market economy,social norms and moral |
| influence rather than its existence. | | | | standards have made headway.Human relations |
| During his visit to China in 1984,Japanese Prime | | | | are improving.Pressing ahead and earning one's |
| Minister Nakasone had a discussion with the late | | | | worth by honest competition--these are becoming |
| Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Hu | | | | socially accepted values.People now accord |
| Yaobang in which Mr. Nakasone said that Japan | | | | greater importance to |
| had followed the footsteps of the United States | | | | economics,science,knowledge and culture.On the |
| and Europe in economic development,but had | | | | other hand,vices have cropped up in the form of |
| continued to be guided by Confucian philosophy in | | | | money |
| social ethics and moral education.Hu later | | | | terfeiting,misrepresentation,larceny and |
| commented that in the perspective of Japan's | | | | robbery.These have gravely undermined social |
| experience,Nakasone's remarks were very well | | | | morality and grown into a public plague.We realize |
| founded and deserved deep pondering in China. | | | | that economic development and the enhancement |
| In recent years,China has sent many students to | | | | of moral standards should go hand in hand.As we |
| Japan to learn business management.But the | | | | push on our reform,we will preserve and carry |
| Japanese said that much of their management | | | | forward the best of our own traditional culture |
| techniques had been learned from China.For | | | | while drawing on the cream of foreign culture |
| example,the famous National Electric Appliance | | | | ,especially that of developed countries.In this way |
| Business College used Chinese classics like The | | | | we are convinced that we will build up a new |
| Great Learning,The Analects of Confucius,Mencius | | | | socialist culture and ethics with Chinese |
| and The Classics of Filial Piety as textbooks of | | | | characteristics. |
| business ethics.Students were encouraged to | | | | It is with this in mind that we have compiled this |
| achieve high standrads of virtue,companionship | | | | book of Chinese Maxims---Golden Sayings of |
| and excellence. | | | | Chinese Thinkers over Five Thousand |
| European and American scholars commend Japan | | | | Years.These are selections from a wealth of |
| for having admirably combined modernity and | | | | Chinese philosophical works.Like flowers floating in |
| tradition in building a mordern economy.The | | | | the eternal stream of history,they retain their |
| Japanese have an excellent work ethic and can | | | | colour and fragrance,as well as their true |
| endure hardships.They maintain strong family ties | | | | beauty.They will not only be useful to one's |
| and are polite.Thus they possess all the | | | | intellectual development,but will also inspire and |
| outstanding features of Oriental civilization. | | | | help one to become a better person.This book |
| Singapore stands out among Asian's "four lesser | | | | meets the needs of all those who are pressing |
| dragons".Its citizens receive education in ethics | | | | ahead with the times,who intend to cultivate |
| from adolescence,using textbooks compiled a few | | | | themselves their whole life long,who are busily |
| years ago by the authorities along the lines of | | | | building up their career and who wish to perfect |
| Confucian ideology.This approach has helped to | | | | themselves by drawing on classical texts and by |
| transform Singarpore into a mordern civilized | | | | learning from real life.We sincerely hope these |
| country.A 1991 survey by an American | | | | famous maxims and golden sayings from antiquity |
| consultancy firm regarding risks in business | | | | will stir readers'minds and spur them forward.This |
| environment gave the highest marks to | | | | book is also meant for foreign readers,specialists |
| Singarpore workers in terms of quality,abidance | | | | or scholars,who wish to draw on the ocean of |
| by rules,work attitude and technical proficiency. | | | | wisdom of Chinese classics.We'll feel honoured and |
| For centuries,since the advent of the industrial | | | | satisfied if we achieve these objectives. |