1987年,在中国陕西的法门寺,地宫中出土了20件美轮美奂的琉璃器,这是唐代传入中国的东罗马和伊斯兰的琉璃器。我在欣赏这些域外文物时,一直在思考一个问题,就是对待不同文明,不能只满足于欣赏它们产生的精美物件,更应该去领略其中包含的人文精神;不能只满足于领略它们对以往人们生活的艺术表现,更应该让其中蕴藏的精神鲜活起来。
In 1987, 20 exquisite pieces of colored glaze were excavated at the underground chamber of Famen Temple in Shaanxi, China. These East Roman and Islamic relics were brought into China during the Tang Dynasty. Marveling at these exotic relics, I thought hard and concluded that as we approach the world’s different civilizations, we should not limit ourselves to just admiring the exquisiteness of the objects involved. Rather, we should try to learn and appreciate the cultural significance behind them. Instead of only satisfying ourselves with their artistic presentation of people’s life in the past, we should do our best to breathe new life into their inherent spirit.
女士们、先生们、朋友们!
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Friends,
拿破仑曾经说过,世上有两种力量:利剑和思想;从长而论,利剑总是败在思想手下。我们要积极发展教育事业,通过普及教育,启迪心智,传承知识,陶冶情操,使人们在持续的格物致知中更好认识各种文明的价值,让教育为文明传承和创造服务。我们要大力发展科技事业,通过科技进步和创新,认识自我,认识世界,改造社会,使人们在持续的天工开物中更好掌握科技知识和技能,让科技为人类造福。我们要大力推动文化事业发展,通过文化交流,沟通心灵,开阔眼界,增进共识,让人们在持续的以文化人中提升素养,让文化为人类进步助力。
Napoleon Bonaparte once said, “There are only two forces in the world, the sword and the spirit. In the long run the sword will always be conquered by the spirit.” We should develop education more actively. Education can open people’s mind, impart knowledge, and cultivate temperament. The continued process of learning will enable our people to better appreciate the value of different civilizations. In this sense, education is an effective vehicle for the continuation and creation of civilizations. We should develop science and technology more vigorously. Scientific advancement and innovation can help people understand themselves and the world and be in a stronger position to change their society for the better. The continued process of exploiting nature will enable our people to master still more knowledge and skills. In this sense, science and technology are a powerful tool to make the world a better place for mankind. We should promote cultural undertakings more energetically. Cultural exchanges can helpopen our hearts to each other, broaden our horizon and build greater consensus among us. The continued process of cultivating people morally and intellectually will result in a higher standard of humanity. In this sense, culture is a big booster for human progress.