Biography of Kang Youwei

Author: Liang Qichao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: "The Series of Biographies of Famous Figures" is a large-scale cultural construction project. At its inception, the organizers had a message for the readers: History is the biography of countless individuals. History originates from events, and events originate from people; without people, there would be no events, and without events, there would be no history. Marx and Engels once said, "History is nothing but the activity of people pursuing their own goals." To comment on the "activity of people pursuing their own goals" becomes a biography; to interpret a biography is thus to interpret history. The biographies of countless individuals constitute history; to seek another history beyond the biographies of countless individuals is to seek a history that does not exist. Liang Qichao divided real people into two categories: "timely figures" and "pioneering figures." "Timely figures are heroes shaped by the times; pioneering figures are heroes who shape the times." Kang Youwei was a pioneering figure. He was the "chicken among chickens," preceding all others, like the evening star shining before the stars. His ideals were vast, illuminating the ages; his sincerity was profound, spanning seven layers of paper; his courage was magnificent, dominating his era. Every goal he pursued was met with resistance, and every endeavor he undertook faced setbacks. Many people criticized, condemned, and opposed him, but it can be asserted without a doubt that in the history of the 20th century's New China, the first pages will inevitably praise his spirit and achievements, considering him the original driving force of society and the future guide.