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This thing called nationalism is a treasure that a country uses to try to develop and a nationality uses to try to survive. China has lost this treasure.
Sun Yat-Sen
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Nationalism can both drive a country's development and serve as a means of survival for its people.

In this quote, Sun Yat-Sen reflects on the dual role of nationalism in society. He suggests that nationalism can be an essential asset for a nation, fueling progress and unity, while also being a crucial element for the survival of a national identity. By stating that 'China has lost this treasure,' he emphasizes the dangers and repercussions of losing a sense of national pride and identity, which can hinder a nation's growth and the well-being of its citizens.

Themes

NationalismCountryIdentityDevelopmentSurvival

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about national identity, one might reference this quote to emphasize the importance of nationalism.

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Because of poverty, we must adopt the capitalist means of production to develop our resources to get rich. However, if we ignore the issue of social justice at the beginning of China's industrialization, we will sow the seeds of class warfare in the future.
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Quote by Sun Yat-Sen | QuoteProject