崔雨婷 18E10

When I knew the book I need to read,to tell the 

truth,I was afraid that I can't finish it all.However,the more I read,the more I found this book fascinating.The Spirit of the Chinese People is such an illuminating book.Although it was written by the author more than one hundred years ago,its discourse on the nature of the Chinese people still influences people today.

In this book,Tomson compared Chinese people with Americans,Britishs,Germans and French.He pointed out that the four characteristics of the Chinese character and the Chinese civilisation are: depth, broadness simplicity and delicacy.The pithiness of this summary shocked me so much.It occurred to me that the nature of the Chinese people has not changed much over the centuries.Even if the author said that the Chinese type of humanity—the real Chinaman—is going to disappear and, in his place, we are going to have a new type of humanity—the progressive or modern Chinaman.I still consider the progressive or modern Chinaman(as Tomson said),has the same inner nature with"the real Chinaman".Both of them are gentle.That's what the author said"nothing wild, savage or ferocious".Deep down in their souls,both of them are sober, chastened mellowness, such as you find in a piece of well—tempered metal.In my opinion,the reason why the author said that they are different is that because of the time.The time when Chinese ideology change.But their hearts were never changed.

It is the author's opinion to use traditional Chinese Confucianism to solve the problems in western society and reform them.In his opinion"We Chinese have the Religion of good citizenship,a man does not feel the need of using physical force to protect himself;he has seldom the need even to call in and use the physical force of the policeman, of the State to protect him."The Religion of good citizenship,which approximated the traditional Chinese Confucianism.Peoplein China always believe that man is born good.Chinese society become more stable because people stick to their good character.

Don' t forget to be a gentleman of sense, while you try to be a great scholar; Don' t become a fool, while you try to be a great scholar.

Confucius Sayings, Ch: VI.II.This example shows the Chinese people's adherence to good character.It is also the embodiment of the spirit of Chinese people.

In this book,the author also mentions the shortcomings of some foreign sinologists.Such as Dr.Giles utterly lacks the philosophical insight and sometimes even common sense.He can translate Chinese sentences, but he cannot interpret and understand Chinese thought.I think not only Dr.Giles but also many sinologists are faced with the dillemma that it is difficult to truly understand the connotation of Chinese culture.But Tomson,Gu Hongming,as a Chinese person,the Chinese culture he had been exposed to since childhood gives him unique advantages.Since the late qing dynasty,when the China's image was seriously distorted,the maverick Tomson maintained the dignity of Chinese culture with his own pen,changed some westerner's prejudice against China.This book illustrates the value of Chinese traditional culture to western civilization,especially when Chinese culture was faced with the discrimination and the Chinese nation was subjected to bullying,its influence was particularly special.