Home / Authors / Jonathan D. Spence Biography

Jonathan D. Spence Biography

Author

Browse famous quotes by Jonathan D. Spence.

Related Quotes

“Seek joyfulness when you can, for seeking joy leads to an auspicious atmosphere.”

Book:Emperor of China: Self-portrait of K'ang-Hsi: Self-Portrait of K'ang-Hsi

Source: Emperor of China: Self-portrait of K'ang-Hsi: Self-Portrait of K'ang-Hsi

“If you want to really know something you have to observe or experience it in person; if you claim to know something on the basis of hearsay, or on happening to see it in a book, you'll be a laughingstock to those who really know.”

Knowledge Books Experience Observation Hearsay

Book:Emperor of China: Self-portrait of K'ang-Hsi: Self-Portrait of K'ang-Hsi

Source: Emperor of China: Self-portrait of K'ang-Hsi: Self-Portrait of K'ang-Hsi

“Shelves full of books are all around me. Opening the different volumes I take a look, and find the pages covered with writings in unknown scripts — tadpole traces, bird feet markings, twisted branches. And in my dream I am able to read them all, to make sense of everything despite its difficulty.”

Dream Reading History Chinese

Book:Return to Dragon Mountain: Memories of a Late Ming Man

Source: Return to Dragon Mountain: Memories of a Late Ming Man

“The written word has its limits and its challenges, for the primal sound in the whole world is that made by the human voice, and the likeness of this human voice must be rendered in dots and strokes...Yet I never forget that the voice, too, is important...Don't mumble or hesitate. Speak...in a loud voice, clearly, and without fear.”

Writing Speaking Human Voice

Book:Emperor of China: Self-portrait of K'ang-Hsi: Self-Portrait of K'ang-Hsi

Source: Emperor of China: Self-portrait of K'ang-Hsi: Self-Portrait of K'ang-Hsi

About the Author

Known for: Author
Quotes: 4

Related Topics

Books Chinese Dream Experience Hearsay History Human Voice Joy Knowledge Maxim

Popular Topics

People Ifs Thinking Knows Men World Way Want Love Life Inspirational Needs Giving Feels Should Writing Trying Years Mind Firsts

Books & Sources

Emperor of China: Self-portrait of K'ang-Hsi: Self-Portrait of K'ang-HsiRelated source material

Return to Dragon Mountain: Memories of a Late Ming ManRelated source material

Similar Authors