But Chinese civilization has the overpowering beauty of the wholly other, and only the wholly other can inspire the deepest love and the profoundest desire to learn.
Interpretation
Chinese civilization offers unique beauty that sparks deep love and a desire for knowledge.
In this quote, Joseph Needham emphasizes the profound impact of Chinese civilization on individuals, suggesting that its distinct beauty captivates the heart and inspires a desire for understanding. This 'wholly other' quality refers to cultural aspects that are vastly different from one's own, invoking admiration and motivating a pursuit of knowledge about the unfamiliar.
In practice
In a lecture about cultural appreciation, one could use this quote to highlight the value of learning from other civilizations.
Thou mayest as well expect to grow stronger by always eating as wiser by always reading. Too much overcharges Nature, and turns more into disease than nourishment. 'Tis thought and digestion which makes books serviceable, and give health and vigor to the mind.
Now, when you are aware, you see the whole process of your thinking and action, but it can happen only when there is no condemnation. That is. When I condemn something, I do not understand it.
Discomfort of any kind becomes the basis for practice. We breathe in knowing our pain is shared.
I honestly felt no envy or resentment, only astonishment at how much of a world there was out there and how much of it others already knew. The agenda for self-cultivation that had been set for my classmates by their teachers and parents was something I'd have to develop for myself.
One of the common failings among honorable people is a failure to appreciate how thoroughly dishonorable some other people can be, and how dangerous it is to trust them.
Unselfishness is more paying, only people have not the patience to practice it.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.