Cai Yuanpei on Morality and Respect | Generated by AI

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Question: Provide the English translation extension for the remaining parts of Cai Yuanpei’s “Speech on Assuming the Presidency of Peking University,” specifically the second and third points.

Answer:

Here is the complete continuation of the English translation of Cai Yuanpei’s inaugural speech as President of Peking University (delivered January 9, 1917), picking up from where the first point ends:

Second: Sharpen your moral character.

Nowadays our country’s social morals have fallen to an extremely low level. Those who engage in politics are mostly corrupt and shameless; those who run businesses mostly cheat and swindle. If university students also follow this bad trend after graduation, then the future of our nation will be hopeless.

Therefore, while you are still students, you must first sharpen your own moral character so that in the future, no matter what profession you enter, you will not be contaminated by the evils of society but will instead be able to reform society.

What is the method for sharpening moral character? It is nothing other than earnestly practicing the words “do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself.” Confucius said, “What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others.” This single sentence is sufficient as the fundamental principle of moral cultivation.

If everyone could truly put this into practice, then among friends there would be no deception, in the family there would be no discord, in society there would be no fraud, and in the nation there would be no tyranny. How excellent that would be!

But mere verbal assent is not enough; one must put it into action. The ancients said, “Knowing is not as good as loving; loving is not as good as enjoying.” Only when you genuinely enjoy practicing it can moral character be truly sharpened.

Therefore I hope that from now on, every one of you will take “do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself” as your daily motto, repeatedly reflect upon it, and put it into practice in every word and deed. Only then can your moral character gradually become lofty and pure.

Third: Respect teachers and befriend classmates.

A university is a place where teachers and students gather together for the common pursuit of scholarship. Teachers are not high officials dispensing favors, nor are students humble petitioners seeking personal advantage. Between teachers and students there should be an equal relationship of mutual respect.

Unfortunately, the habit of revering officials and looking down on scholarship has long been deeply rooted in our country. Many students see teachers only as tools for obtaining diplomas or as future patrons who might help them secure official positions. They therefore flatter those who hold high office and neglect those who are pure scholars. This is a most deplorable phenomenon.

From now on, I hope you will change this bad habit. Toward teachers you should show the utmost respect—not because of their rank or position, but because of their scholarship and moral character. Even if a teacher holds no official post and has only modest means, as long as his learning is profound and his conduct exemplary, he deserves your full respect.

As for your fellow students, you should regard them all as companions on the same path of learning. Regardless of wealth or poverty, high or low origin, you should treat one another with sincerity and mutual help. You should exchange knowledge, discuss scholarship, encourage one another in virtue, and admonish one another against wrongdoing. Only in this way can the university truly become a noble community of learning.

In summary, the three expectations I place upon you are:

  1. Hold firmly to your purpose — come here for the sake of learning, not for official position or wealth.
  2. Sharpen your moral character — take “do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself” as your lifelong guide.
  3. Respect teachers and befriend classmates — build a campus atmosphere of genuine scholarly pursuit, equality, and mutual assistance.

If you can truly put these three points into practice, then not only will Peking University be able to wash away its former bad reputation, it will also become the highest seat of learning in the country and exert a positive influence on society and the nation. This is my greatest hope.

(This concludes the full text of the speech. Cai Yuanpei’s address is widely regarded as a landmark declaration of academic independence, moral responsibility, and the true mission of a modern university in China.)

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