Middle School Students Reading Famous Works: Essence of Famous Speeches

Author: Weng Sheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-09-01
Features: Gathered from famous authors and masterpieces, condensing the essence of literature; Experience splendid civilizations, absorb wisdom for growth! In the name of peace, democracy, and freedom of all humanity, I pay my respects to all of you. I stand before you not as a prophet, but as your humble servant, as the servant of the people. Through your relentless struggles and heroic sacrifices, I have been given the opportunity to stand here today, and therefore, I dedicate the rest of my life to you. On this day of my release, I extend my warmest and heartfelt thanks to millions of my fellow countrymen, to my fellow countrymen around the world who have tirelessly fought for my release. Today, most South Africans, whether black or white, have come to realize that the apartheid system has no future. To ensure peace, security, and safety, we must rely on decisive action to end this system. The large-scale resistance movements and other actions of various groups and the people of our country will ultimately lead to, and can only lead to, the establishment of a democratic system. The apartheid system has caused incalculable damage to this continent. The lives of thousands of families have been destroyed. Thousands of people have been displaced and unemployed. Speeches are like beautiful ripples in the long river of human civilization. In ancient Egypt and Greece, speechmaking was widely studied and adopted as a skill by politicians, military commanders, and philosophers. Whether it was Socrates' wise and dialectical defense; Pericles' candid and hopeful declaration; or Hannibal's passionate and resolute oration, they left a profound impression on later generations. These classic speeches have moved audiences with their exquisite language, inspired future generations with their profound thoughts, and guided the world with their unique insights. The analysis and exploration of speeches have always developed alongside them. Due to the extraordinary influence speeches have on public psychology, linguists, literary critics, and psychologists have all devoted significant effort, dedication, and passion to this linguistic art. The publication of numerous works on speech research has strongly proven and supported the development of this art. This book selects over sixty classic speeches by famous Chinese and foreign figures from the vast literature of history, covering various aspects of social life such as politics, war, literature, art, science, and philosophy. In style, they range from humorous and witty to vivid and lively; from passionate and stirring to calm and composed; from elegant and poetic to simple and unadorned. After each speech, there is a brief evaluation, along with an introduction and information about the author, hoping to serve as a springboard for further discussion.