Late Learning Blind Words (Volume 1 and 2)

Author: Qian Mu
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-06-01
Features: On his eightieth birthday, he wrote the essay "Eighty Reminiscences of My Parents." Later, he continued to write "Recollections of Teachers and Friends," leaving almost no part of his life's experiences unrecorded. At the age of eighty-three or eighty-four, his eyes suddenly became ill, preventing him from seeing, reading, or reading newspapers. Whenever he wrote an article, he would ask his wife to search for old books and quote classical phrases. After completing the draft, his wife would read it aloud, and he would listen by the side, making revisions word by word. This manuscript is divided into three major parts: one on the universe, nature, and the natural world; another on politics, society, and human culture; and the third on moral character, conduct, and self-cultivation. This book was written by the author at the age of eighty-six, when his eyesight deteriorated to the point of blindness, making it impossible for him to see, let alone read or write. He dictated the text, his wife took notes, and then he read it aloud while listening, making word-by-word revisions. By the time of completion, he was already ninety-two years old. Thus, the title is inscribed as "Late Learning Blind Words." The entire book consists of ninety essays, divided into three parts: the first on the universe, nature, and the natural world; the second on politics, society, and human culture; and the third on moral character, conduct, and self-cultivation. Although each essay explores a distinct theme, they are interconnected and coherent, with the central purpose of discussing the similarities and differences between Chinese and Western cultural traditions. Professor Qian's every topic had long been on his mind, achieving breadth while returning to conciseness, embracing vastness while delving into subtlety, pursuing the highest wisdom while adhering to the middle way, and valuing moral character while emphasizing learning. His scholarship reached a state of enlightenment in his later years. To understand the later stages of Professor Qian's scholarship, "Late Learning Blind Words" serves as an entry point; to grasp the essence of Chinese studies, this book is also the best. This book is rare in Chinese scholarship for being both profound and accessible, offering great inspiration to both beginners and those seeking deeper understanding.