A “level playing field” is not
part of Chinese culture; guanxi or
personal links is.―――On China
Outside powers cannot re-fashion
China into its own image. Let us not forget that even China’s conquerors like
the Mongols in the 13th and 14th centuries, and the Manchus in the 17th and
19th centuries, could not change Chinese culture. Instead China changed them
and they were absorbed and assimilated. The language and culture of its
conquerors could not overcome Chinese language and culture.―――On
China
As China develops and becomes a
largely urban society, its political system must evolve to accommodate a large
middle class that will be highly educated, better informed and connected with
the outside world, one that expects a higher quality of life in a clean
environment, and wants to have its views heard by a government that is transparent
and free from corruption.―――On China
Estate duty is one of those forms
of taxation which can be used deliberately to counterbalance the unjust
distribution of wealth and prevent its perpetuation…[Y]ou really do not hurt
anybody because you have really taken it from no one. All you have taken away
from the sons and heirs and successors is not money, but just the hope of a
succeeding to money. That might be painful for a week or two after the will has
been read and duties have to be paid, but it is certainly less painful than if
we were to impose a capital levy while the man who has made his millions is
still alive.―――On Prosperity
Wealth and poverty are relative
things. You have acute tensions…not so much because you are too poor as against
another person or you are too rich, in the absolute sense, but whether you are
relatively too much better off than the other to cause the other fellow
dissatisfaction.―――On Prosperity
It is nonsense to say that this
government is rich while the people are poor. This is true only when the
leaders steal the nation’s wealth.―――On
Prosperity
If your option was, I want a
condo, I want a Mercedes, then you aim for those professions which will bring
you those results. But you have chosen English Literature. If you were my daughter…I
would tell her…there’s no money in it unless you are really good.―――On
Education