Civilized Quote by Fukuzawa Yukichi
“Whatever happens in the country, whatever warfare harasses our land, we will never relinquish our hold on Western learning. As long as this school of ours stands, Japan remains a civilized nation of the world.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: University of Tokyo inauguration, 1872
Preserving Western learning is essential for Japan's civilization and global standing.
In simple terms: Western knowledge sustains Japan's civility.
Key Takeaway
Protect educational foundations.
Themes
education
civilization
national identity
Mood
nationalistic
inspirational
Type
historical
political
When to use this quote
- policy making
- curriculum design
- international relations
Key Concepts
Western learning
cultural preservation
modernization
Questions to Reflect On
- How can Japan balance Western and native traditions?
- What are the risks of over‑reliance on foreign ideas?
A Different Perspective
May resist indigenous knowledge or cause cultural dependency.
![“In its broad sense, civilization means not only comfort in daily necessities but also the refining of knowledge and the cultivation of virtue so as to elevate human life to a higher plane... It refers to the attainment of both material well-being and the elevation of the human spirit, [but] since…” quote by Fukuzawa Yukichi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b23/fukuzawa-yukichi-22233_attainment_in-its-broad-sense-civilization-means-no_1507246.jpg)
![“Therefore, to teach them [women] at least an outline of economics and law is the first requirement after giving them a general education. Figuratively speaking, it will be like providing the women of civilized society with a pocket dagger for self-protection.” quote by Fukuzawa Yukichi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2f5/fukuzawa-yukichi-22233_civilized_therefore-to-teach-them-women-at-least-a_2273374.jpg)
![“That country [Carthage] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws; and every step of intestine discord was marked by some deplorable victory of savage man over civilized society.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70c/edward-gibbon-710_barbarism_that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinkin_393.jpg)
