—"Lectures at the College of Europe in Bruges", etc

■Interpretation

If there is a sentence that can reflect the deep spiritual pursuit and perseverance of the Chinese nation, it must be this sentence in "Zhou Yi". Corresponding to heaven and man is not only a method of thinking, but also a world concept that moves with the sky and acts according to the sky. Just as strong and strong as the sky, people should also be resolute and resolute and strive for progress. Independence, self-esteem, perseverance, perseverance...... This is our most precious national identity. In modern times, such a national character has been particularly evident because of sinking and exertion, humiliation and struggle. How many people with lofty ideals have the generosity of "throwing blood and destroying families to relieve difficulties"; How many treks and explorations, with the courage of "knowing that there are tigers in the mountains, biasing towards the tiger mountains"! Today, we have never been so close to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, but the closer we get to the other side of our dreams, the more we will encounter all kinds of difficulties and obstacles, and stormy waves. To accomplish the amazing leap to realize our dreams, it is especially necessary for our generation to take responsibility and make a difference. With the opening of the curtain of deepening reform and the dawn of national rejuvenation, we need to uphold such spiritual characteristics to complete the mission of our generation and create a glory that will be engraved in the annals of history.

■Original text

"Elephant" said: Tianxingjian, a gentleman is constantly striving for self-improvement. Don't use the hidden dragon, the sun is also below. See the dragon in the field, De Shi Pu also. Dry all day long, repeatedly. Or jump in the abyss, and enter without blame. The flying dragon is in the sky, and the big man is also. Kang Long has regrets, and he can't last long. With nine, Tiande cannot be the head.

——(Yin Zhou to Qin and Han Dynasty) "Zhou Yi Qiangua"

■Definition

"Tianxingjian, a gentleman strives for self-improvement", from the Qianhea "Xiang Biography" in "Zhou Yi". The "Legend of the Elephant" explains the hexagram and the righteousness. Tianxing: The way of heaven. Jian: It's constantly running. The operation of the sky, the four hours alternate, the day and night change, the years and years have no end, there is no error, the gentleman should follow the health of the way of heaven, in order to improve himself. Correspondingly, there is a saying in the Kun hexagram "Elephant Biography" that "the terrain is Kun, and the gentleman carries things with virtue". Kun hexagram is a symbol of the geographical situation, "terrain Kun" that is, the terrain is smooth, the gentleman should imitate the virtue of Kun land, containing all things.

In November 1914, when Liang Qichao gave a speech at Tsinghua University, he encouraged students to strive to become "true gentlemen" with "Tianxingjian, a gentleman with unremitting self-improvement" and "terrain is kun, and a gentleman is virtuous". He pointed out: A gentleman is self-motivated, and the sky is constantly running, and he must not be exposed to the cold. We should not advance in the face of profit and retreat in the face of difficulties, but should abandon selfish desires and be resolute, act bravely, do not avoid difficulties and dangers, and strive for self-improvement; At the same time, a gentleman should be generous in his dealings, and the land of Judah is all-encompassing. Strict self-responsibility, light responsibility, and tolerance. With a broad mind, we will absorb new civilizations, improve our society, promote our politics, and shoulder the heavy responsibility of history. Later, "unremitting self-improvement, moral commitment" became the motto of Tsinghua University.