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Quote by Lin Yutang

“Let us face ourselves bravely as we are. For only a philosophy that recognizes reality can lead us into true happiness, and only that kind of philosophy is sound and healthy.”

Quote by Lin Yutang

Work

The Importance of Living

This book delves into the profound questions of existence, examining the importance of living and the various dimensions of human experience. more

Author

Lin Yutang
Lin Yutang

Lin Yutang, born on October 10, 1895, in Yongding District, Longyan City, Fujian Province, and died on March 26, 1976. He was a renowned Chinese modern writer, translator, and scholar, known as a 'cultural giant'. Lin Yutang's literary works are characterized by their humor, wit, and elegant language, with representative works including 'Chinatown Days' and 'Laughing and Crying'. more

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“The question that faces every man born into this world is not what should be his purpose, which he should set about to achieve, but just what to do with life? The answer, that he should order his life so that he can find the greatest happiness in it, is more a practical question, similar to that of how a man should spend his weekend, then a metaphysical proposition as to what is the mystic purpose of his life in the scheme of the universe.”

“Everything that we think God has in his mind necessarily proceeds from our own mind; it is what we imagine to be in God's mind, and it is really difficult for human intelligence to guess at a divine intelligence. What we usually end up with by this sort of reasoning is to make God the color-sergeant of our army and to make Him as chauvinistic as ourselves.”

“The improbability of a malicious story serves but to help forward the currency of it, because it increases the scandal. So that, in such instances, the world is like the pious St. Austin, who said he believed some things because they were absurd and impossible.”

“I am in Rome! Oft as the morning ray Visits these eyes, waking at once I cry, Whence this excess of joy? What has befallen me? And from within a thrilling voice replies, Thou art in Rome! A thousand busy thoughts Rush on my mind, a thousand images; And I spring up as girt to run a race!”

“Twilight's soft dews steal o'er the village-green, With magic tints to harmonize the scene. Stilled is the hum that through the hamlet broke When round the ruins of their ancient oak The peasants flocked to hear the minstrel play, And games and carols closed the busy day.”