[America Through the Spectacles of an Oriental Diplomat by Wu Tingfang]@TWC D-Link book
America Through the Spectacles of an Oriental Diplomat

CHAPTER 5
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Ignorant and illiterate people infringe the law because they do not know any better, and their acts of depredation are clumsy and can be easily found out, but when men of education commit crimes these are so skilfully planned and executed that it is difficult for the police to unravel and detect them.

It has been known that frauds and forgeries perpetrated by such unscrupulous persons were so cleverly designed that they bore the evidence of superior education, and almost of genius.

The more a man is educated the more is it necessary, for the welfare of the state, to instruct him how to make a proper use of his talents: Education is like a double-edged sword.

It may be turned to dangerous usages if it is not properly handled.
As there is no established church in the United States, and in view of the numberless different sects, it is not advisable to permit any particular phase of religion to be taught.

But why not consent to allow the cardinal principles of morality to be taught in every school?
The following may serve as examples: (1) Honesty is the best policy.
(2) Honor thy father and thy mother.
(3) Universal brotherhood.
(4) Love of mankind.
(5) Charity to all.
(6) Purity in thought and action.
(7) Pure food makes a pure body.
(8) Happiness consists of health and a pure conscience.
(9) Live and let live.
(10) Respect a man for his virtues, not for his money or position.
(11) 'Fiat justitia, ruat coelum' (Let justice be done, though the Heavens should fall).
(12) Bear no malice against anyone.
(13) Be equitable and just to all men.
(14) Liberty and freedom but not license.
(15) Do not unto others what ye would not that others should do unto you.
I have jotted down the above just as they occurred to me while writing.
They can easily be amplified, and be made the basis of an ethical instruction in all the schools.


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