Robbery and murder are the worst of human crimes; but in the West there are robbers and murderers. There are those who form cliques to vie for the re… - Fukuzawa Yukichi

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Robbery and murder are the worst of human crimes; but in the West there are robbers and murderers. There are those who form cliques to vie for the reins of power and who, when deprived of that power, decry the injustice of it all. Even worse, international diplomacy is really based on the art of deception. Surveying the situation as a whole, all we can say is that there is a general prevalence of good over bad, but we can hardly call the situation perfect. When, several thousand years hence, the levels of knowledge and virtue of the peoples of the world will have made great progress (to the point of becoming utopian), the present condition of the nations of the West will surely seem a pitifully primitive stage. Seen in this light, civilization is an open-ended process. We cannot be satisfied with the present level of attainment of the West.

English
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About Fukuzawa Yukichi

Fukuzawa Yukichi (福澤 諭吉 Yukichi Fukuzawa; 10 January 1835 – 3 February 1901) was a Japanese author, writer, teacher, entrepreneur and political theorist whose ideas about government and social institutions made a lasting impression on a rapidly changing Japan during the period known as the Meiji Era. Fukuzawa was instrumental in introducing Western ideas and educational principles to Japan. He founded Keio University, one of Japan’s first private universities, which became a significant center for spreading liberal and modern thought throughout the country. His writings, including the best-selling “An Encouragement of Learning” and “An Outline of a Theory of Civilization,” played a crucial role in shaping the intellectual foundation of modern Japan Fukuzawa’s philosophy was rooted in the principle of self-reliance and independence for both individuals and the nation. He advocated for a strong educational system as the foundation for a free and independent society. His ideas on social and economic development were highly progressive at the time, advocating for the abolition of the class system and the promotion of gender equality

Also Known As

Alternative Names: Yukichi Fukuzawa
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Additional quotes by Fukuzawa Yukichi

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 even to take up arms against all the countries of the world.

I think I have made it clear that I never intended to make enemies. But in an age when anti-foreign sentiment was running high, it was unavoidable that in my position as an advocate of open intercourse and free adoption of Western culture, I should make some adversaries.

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Therefore, to teach them [women] at least an outline of economics and law is the first requirement after giving them a general education. Figuratively speaking, it will be like providing the women of civilized society with a pocket dagger for self-protection.

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