---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Jesuits had learned that a Christian…"
description: "\"The Jesuits had learned that a Christian mission to China could never succeed if it were not in a position to show and convince the Chinese intelligent..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/078/hu-shih-19790_china_the-jesuits-had-learned-that-a-christian_1546305.jpg"
---

#  The Jesuits had learned that a Christian mission to China…

![“The Jesuits had learned that a Christian mission to China could never succeed if it were not in a position to show and convince the Chinese intelligentsia of the superiority of the European culture.” quote by Hu Shih](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/078/hu-shih-19790_china_the-jesuits-had-learned-that-a-christian_1546305.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/078/hu-shih-19790_china_the-jesuits-had-learned-that-a-christian_1546305.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/078/hu-shih-19790_china_the-jesuits-had-learned-that-a-christian_1546305.jpg)

> “The Jesuits had learned that a Christian mission to China could never succeed if it were not in a position to show and convince the Chinese intelligentsia of the superiority of the European culture.”

[Hu Shih](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hu-shih/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The Jesuits believed success in China required convincing intellectuals that European culture was superior.

**In simple terms:** Jesuits thought cultural superiority was needed for mission success.

Key Takeaway

Recognize the role of cultural perception in influence.

Themes

missionary work cultural exchange colonialism

Mood

reflective critical

Type

historical analytical

When to use this quote

- academic diplomacy
- religious outreach
- historical analysis

Key Concepts

cultural superiority mission strategy intellectual persuasion

Questions to Reflect On

- How does cultural bias affect cross‑cultural missions?
- Can influence succeed without claiming superiority?

A Different Perspective

Cultural superiority can breed resistance and conflict.

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