More than a hundred years ago, an American missionary described the character of the Chinese people from a unique perspective. As a result, many countries around the world suddenly realized that the Chinese people are like this: they have shortcomings such as saving face, beating around the bush, being insensitive, and suspicious of each other, but they also have advantages such as frugality, hard work, etiquette, shared responsibilities, and law-abiding.
Reader comments
The description is quite consistent, but some places are not entirely like this.
This book is very well written. From more than 100 years ago, China was also the China of the Qing Dynasty. It has certain reference significance for us to observe China and the Chinese people now. A lot of it is due to the cultural differences between China and foreign countries, as well as the fact that we were not open and very closed back then. In fact, what I am more concerned about is that at that time, there were so many foreigners studying China as far back as 100 years ago, and many books were published. You see, the author mentioned many foreign monographs and various studies in the book. This doctor and that gentleman all conducted a lot of research on China. It turns out that Westerners' research on China had already begun very early.
1. It is undeniable that we can indeed observe some shortcomings from this book, slowly reverse some bad habits, and make our national culture more noble. There are some observations that are valid, there are some bad things that still exist in modern times and need to be changed;
2. But be sure to read this book critically. Due to the author's default position as a foreigner, this book's judgments on many historical events and national characters are biased and cannot be fully trusted. There is no need to talk about "bad qualities". No nation is born inferior to others, and no nation is born superior.
This book is very interesting and it gave me a deeper understanding of the Chinese character. I am deeply touched by the "face" issue mentioned in the book. Sometimes we really care about other people's opinions, and as the book says, we will "act" unconsciously. I once missed some opportunities because I was concerned about face. However, the book also mentioned the advantages of the Chinese people, such as hard work and hard work. I agree with this because there are many such people around me. I think this book is like a mirror, allowing us to see our shortcomings as well as our strengths.
It is a book that can make the nation progress. If you don't stare into the abyss, you won't know that the abyss is staring at you.
Worth a look. There are useful articles and private articles. Overall, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, and it still has a lot of implications for China today.
The author observes carefully and is good at reasoning and summarizing. Although times have changed, China has undergone earth-shaking changes, and a considerable part of the content is no longer in line with the present, but some national characteristics have indeed remained unchanged.
Asking but not getting it, giving up but not being able to give it up, getting it but not hesitating, this is the greatest sorrow in life
As a missionary, the author hopes to refine people and reform China by introducing and spreading Christianity in the land of China. Although it is biased in some parts and even a bit superficial. But given the xenophobic background of the Chinese and the premise that the West was leading China at that time, it was already very pertinent and well-intentioned.
After all, it was a book written by Europeans over a hundred years ago. Nowadays, the Chinese are not so careless about precise time and measurement units. But people who come from the countryside can still "see the red tape in ancient times" that they couldn't understand when they were children.
I really like the authenticity in the author's writing.
It may not be clear to onlookers, but there is no doubt that the authorities are obsessed. There's a lot to gain and it's worth watching.
It is objective and academic. It allows you to understand and reflect on yourself through a foreigner's perspective. It is worth reading.
Although there are changes in times and subjective factors on the part of the author, it is generally a clear and sharp judgment.
The content is wonderful, the description is in-depth, and the characterization is careful!
The article is very long and what it says is very true.
There is no shortage of merits
Excellent content without errors
This book is super nice
It is more realistic, but we need to look at it dialectically
Through the descriptions of foreigners, I learned about the Chinese people in the 19th century. Yes, I have traveled through time [laughing]
Sincerely, the Chinese people still haven't changed much. The technological era is developing faster and faster. I don't know where we will go from here.
From the perspective of the Chinese people in the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China, we have actually improved a lot of bad habits.
Deeply touched. More than 100 years have passed. Some people have changed, while others are still living in the past.
It is difficult to see problems through analysis through colored glasses without too many personal senses. Reading good books is beneficial.
It's very beautiful. It describes Chinese society from another perspective in an objective and detailed way. It's very enlightening.
The description is quite consistent, but some places are not entirely like this.
This book is very well written. From more than 100 years ago, China was also the China of the Qing Dynasty. It has certain reference significance for us to observe China and the Chinese people now. A lot of it is due to the cultural differences between China and foreign countries, as well as the fact that we were not open and very closed back then. In fact, what I am more concerned about is that at that time, there were so many foreigners studying China as far back as 100 years ago, and many books were published. You see, the author mentioned many foreign monographs and various studies in the book. This doctor and that gentleman all conducted a lot of research on China. It turns out that Westerners' research on China had already begun very early.
1. It is undeniable that we can indeed observe some shortcomings from this book, slowly reverse some bad habits, and make our national culture more noble. There are some observations that are valid, there are some bad things that still exist in modern times and need to be changed; 2. But be sure to read this book critically. Due to the author's default position as a foreigner, this book's judgments on many historical events and national characters are biased and cannot be fully trusted. There is no need to talk about "bad qualities". No nation is born inferior to others, and no nation is born superior.
This book is very interesting and it gave me a deeper understanding of the Chinese character. I am deeply touched by the "face" issue mentioned in the book. Sometimes we really care about other people's opinions, and as the book says, we will "act" unconsciously. I once missed some opportunities because I was concerned about face. However, the book also mentioned the advantages of the Chinese people, such as hard work and hard work. I agree with this because there are many such people around me. I think this book is like a mirror, allowing us to see our shortcomings as well as our strengths.
It is a book that can make the nation progress. If you don't stare into the abyss, you won't know that the abyss is staring at you.
Worth a look. There are useful articles and private articles. Overall, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, and it still has a lot of implications for China today.
The author observes carefully and is good at reasoning and summarizing. Although times have changed, China has undergone earth-shaking changes, and a considerable part of the content is no longer in line with the present, but some national characteristics have indeed remained unchanged.
Asking but not getting it, giving up but not being able to give it up, getting it but not hesitating, this is the greatest sorrow in life
As a missionary, the author hopes to refine people and reform China by introducing and spreading Christianity in the land of China. Although it is biased in some parts and even a bit superficial. But given the xenophobic background of the Chinese and the premise that the West was leading China at that time, it was already very pertinent and well-intentioned.
After all, it was a book written by Europeans over a hundred years ago. Nowadays, the Chinese are not so careless about precise time and measurement units. But people who come from the countryside can still "see the red tape in ancient times" that they couldn't understand when they were children.
I really like the authenticity in the author's writing.
It may not be clear to onlookers, but there is no doubt that the authorities are obsessed. There's a lot to gain and it's worth watching.
It is objective and academic. It allows you to understand and reflect on yourself through a foreigner's perspective. It is worth reading.
Although there are changes in times and subjective factors on the part of the author, it is generally a clear and sharp judgment.
The content is wonderful, the description is in-depth, and the characterization is careful!
The article is very long and what it says is very true.
There is no shortage of merits
Excellent content without errors
This book is super nice
It is more realistic, but we need to look at it dialectically
Through the descriptions of foreigners, I learned about the Chinese people in the 19th century. Yes, I have traveled through time [laughing]
Sincerely, the Chinese people still haven't changed much. The technological era is developing faster and faster. I don't know where we will go from here.
From the perspective of the Chinese people in the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China, we have actually improved a lot of bad habits.
Deeply touched. More than 100 years have passed. Some people have changed, while others are still living in the past.
It is difficult to see problems through analysis through colored glasses without too many personal senses. Reading good books is beneficial.
It's very beautiful. It describes Chinese society from another perspective in an objective and detailed way. It's very enlightening.
It's very interesting, sad and funny to watch.