Why The Century Of Humiliation?
Posted by MyLaowai on Sunday, September 26, 2010
“Because of their ignorance of the size of the earth and the exaggerated opinion they have of themselves, the Chinese are of the opinion that only China among the nations is deserving of admiration. Relative to the grandeur of empire, of public administration and of reputation for learning, they look upon all other people not only as barbarous but as unreasoning animals. To them there is no other place on earth that can boast of a king, of a dynasty, or of culture. The more their pride is inflated by this ignorance, the more humiliated they become when the truth is revealed.”
- Jesuit priest Matteo Ricci (1552–1610)
- Thank you, Neddy, for drawing my attention to this. -
