Hu Shih

Hu Shih (1891-1962) was a Chinese writer and influential modern philosopher who is also known as literary reformer.

Wisdom & Quotes

• The underlying sickness of human life is an unwillingness to look with open eyes at the condition of the world.

- ' I-pu-sheng chu'i' (Ibsenism)

• The salvation of the world is attainable, but it is necessary for each of us to set to work with all our strength. If we exert a little more effort, the salvation of the world will come a little sooner. The world is built little by little, a bit at a time. But even this little depends entirely upon the energetic contributions of you and me and the other fellow.

- Shih-yen-chu-i

• Whenever you do something without asking yourself, 'Why am I doing this?' - that is meaningless life. ... The 'why' of life makes it meaningful. ... Only when an answer is given is one living life as a man.

- Hsin sheng-huo (The New Life), Hsin sheng-huo tso chi

• 'To war!' is only two words, yet few of us have really thought through their meaning.

- The Independent Critic

• The knowledge that mankind needs is not the way or principle which has an absolute existence, but the particular truths for here and now and for particular individuals. Absolute truth is imaginary, abstract, vague, without evidence, and cannot be demonstrated.

Taha Husayn