Ancient-china Quote by Hellmut Wilhelm
““It is no accident that, of the early Jesuit scholars who were pioneers in making China's culture known in Europe, those who concerned themselves with the Book of Changes were all later declared to be insane or heretic. Indeed, to the Chinese themselves the study of the I Ching is not to be taken lightly. By an unwritten law, only those advanced in years regard themselves as ready to learn from it. Confucius is said to have been seventy years old when he first took up the Book of Changes.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Chinese and Their History, Hellmut Wilhelm, 1935
The I Ching was historically feared and linked to madness, reserved for the elderly and wise, reflecting cultural reverence and caution.
In simple terms: Studying the I Ching was seen as dangerous and for the old.
Key Takeaway
Respect age and wisdom when tackling complex traditions.
Themes
cultural reverence
age
wisdom
danger
tradition
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
historical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic research
- cross‑cultural study
- personal spiritual practice
- teaching elders
Key Concepts
I Ching
Jesuit scholarship
cultural transmission
Questions to Reflect On
- How does age influence openness to esoteric knowledge?
- What risks arise when scholars challenge cultural taboos?
A Different Perspective
Not all societies view ancient texts as benign; some may suppress them.
