I can feel the gradual decline of energy and vitality. And I mean generally, every year, when you know you are not on the same level as last year. But that's life.
Lee Kuan YewRead
China is a vast, disparate country; there is no alternative to strong central power.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Strong central power is necessary to govern a large and diverse nation effectively.
Lee Kuan Yew's quote emphasizes the importance of centralized authority in managing a country as vast and varied as China. The diverse cultures, languages, and populations within its borders require a unifying force to ensure stability and coherence, suggesting that decentralized governance might lead to fragmentation and dysfunction.
Themes
Central PowerGovernanceChinaDiversityStability
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about governance, this quote can highlight the necessity of a strong authority in managing diverse populations.
More from Lee Kuan Yew
All quotes βPolitical reform need not go hand in hand with economic liberalization.. I hold unconventional views about this.. I do not believe if you are a libertarian, full of diverse opinions, full of competing ideas in the market place, full of sound and fury, therefore you will succeed.
Lee Kuan YewRead
The human being is an unequal creature. That is a fact. And we start off with the proposition. All the great religions, all the great movements, all the great political ideology, say let us make the human being as equal as possible. In fact, he is not equal, never will be.
Lee Kuan YewRead
They say, oh, letβs have multiparty politics. Letβs have different parties change and be in charge of the Government. Is it that simple? You vote in a Division Three government, not a Division One government, and the whole economy will just subside within three, four years. Finished.
Lee Kuan YewRead
America's greatest long-term influence on China comes from playing host to the thousands of students who come from China each year, some of the ablest Chinese scholars and scientists. They will be the most powerful agents for change in China.
Lee Kuan YewRead
Anybody who decides to take me on needs to put on knuckle-dusters. If you think you can hurt me more than I can hurt you, try. There is no way you can govern a Chinese society.
Lee Kuan YewRead
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