Chapter 16 76-80

Chapter 76: Commitment, Independence, Freedom, Creation/Qian Liqun (4) How do you view this phenomenon?When I was researching the history of this century, I found out that such accusations and criticisms of the previous generation to the descendants, and the dissatisfaction and counterattacks of the descendants to such criticisms are not uncommon in history. Passed down from generation to generation. (The audience is active) For example, Liu Bannong of the May Fourth generation we just mentioned once wrote an article scolding the young people of the 1930s, saying that they did not study, did not write well, and so on. --This is similar to some people's criticism of the post-80s generation today. (laughs) I was born in the late 1930s, so I probably belonged to those who were scolded. (Laughs) But today, those born in the 1930s, 1940s, and even the 1950s are said to be very remarkable generations. Therefore, they are qualified to scold future generations, including you.That is to say, "every generation is dissatisfied by the previous generation, and finally takes over from the previous generation and fulfills the mission entrusted to them by history, so that they are qualified to criticize the next generation."The same goes for you. I heard that in a few years, college students will all be "post-90s". At that time, you "post-80s" will probably have to criticize them. (Laughs) I came to a conclusion from this: "It is unfounded to worry about the next generation, especially the young people. Every generation will have its own problems, but it can neither be taken too seriously, nor will it be taken seriously in the end. They have to rely on themselves to solve the problem. One is to believe in youth, and the other is to believe in time: these are probably my two basic beliefs." (Applause)

I have talked about this view on many occasions, and it has been recognized by many friends, including young friends who are "post-80s".However, some students from the "post-80s" said to me: You said that each generation will have its own problems. Although these problems have to be solved by ourselves, we also want to hear your views on the problems of this generation. , at least it can provide us to think about it.So, let me just say it in vain, and you will listen to it in vain. This generation grew up under the exam-oriented education. Since childhood, they have taken "entering universities, especially prestigious universities" as their entire purpose in life; now they have fulfilled their wishes and entered universities. After the initial excitement passed, they suddenly lost their goals. with directions.Behind this is actually a problem of lack of belief. (The audience is active) This problem not only exists in your generation, but also in ours. "God is dead" is a global problem.Our generation used to regard "revolution" as our belief, but now we find that "revolution" has many problems, and we need to reflect and introspect, so we feel a sense of loss.However, we are old and can live according to the original inertia; but you can't, everything has not started yet, and we can't live in such a muddle-headed way, so we have a lot of depression and troubles.I have read a college student's self-report: "The years have made us numb to everything, become indifferent to everything, become indifferent to everything, and have lost many of the purest touches of being human", "I am now worried about my future. But we don’t know it, and we don’t want to know it. In this way, our young life is lost in the mediocrity of every day, and we just float around all day long, without direction or goal... ".Maybe it’s exaggerated here, but without faith, without goals, and not caring about anything, it doesn’t matter. (all active)

Chapter 77: Commitment, Independence, Freedom, Creation/Qian Liqun (5) On the road of life of this generation, what they are facing is the problem of "how to establish faith, establish life goals and direction".Maybe we can take this question to ask our predecessors and have heart-to-heart communication with them. "There is one thing in life that is more important than anything else" Let's read this article together: "Zeng Zhaolun: A Famous Professor with Unkempt".On the surface, these are all eccentric rumors of "famous professors" and "celebrities": "He once stood in front of the red building on the beach, talking and laughing with electric poles about new discoveries in chemistry, which shocked the passers-by; Once when he went out with an umbrella, it rained heavily and his clothes were completely soaked, but he still walked with the umbrella (laughs); when he was eating dinner at home, he was absent-minded, and even took a coal shovel to add food to the pot until he Madam found cinders in his rice bowl (laughs); he was busy with work and seldom went home. Once when he came home, the nanny didn’t even know he was the host and treated him as a guest. Seeing him staying at night, he felt very strange (laughs); as for the shoes he wears, almost all the students of Lianhe University know that they can see the sky from front to back; when he walks on weekdays, he always lowers his head, not because he ignores people, but because he can’t see at all.” (Laughs) )

And don't regard these as anecdotes for just talking -- I know that the greatest joy of being a student is to lie on the bed after the lights are turned off at night, reminisce and talk about anecdotes about a certain professor.It was like this when we were students, and I am convinced that it is the same for you now. This is also the "tradition" of students. (laughs) But we can't stop there, we have to think about what's behind it. Mr. Fei Xiaotong has a very astute analysis.He said: "In his heart, he can't imagine that there is something that can be trimmed. There is one thing in his life that is more important than other things, and that is the ambition of every man. Intellectuals always have a place in their hearts, a sustenance. Zeng Zhao Lun devoted his whole life to chemistry. Without such people working hard there, it would be impossible for a subject to emerge. It seems easy for scholars nowadays to be a professor. He is no longer working hard for a subject. I don't necessarily know what this subject is pursuing, and I don't necessarily think that this subject is more important than the shoes I wear."--"Is there anything in life that is "more important than other things", and is there any "invincible" The "aspiration" is a key, the key point: with it, your heart will have a "place", your spirit will have a "sustainment", and people will have a place to "settle and live". Therefore, always You have to "care about" and "guard" something; if you don't, if you have nothing to do with your heart and nothing to rest your spirit on, you won't be lost, you can neither "sit down" nor "live", so you don't "care" What, everything is "indifferent", so naturally there is no need to "guard" anything. (The audience is active)

It can be clearly seen that for a scholar like Zeng Zhaolun, academics are his "thing more important than anything else" and his "invincible ambition".He has a sense of mission and commitment to chemistry, so he is willing to "dedicate himself" to it.The anecdotes and anecdotes of him mentioned above are just an external manifestation of such desperation, dedication, and even the state of ecstasy.For him, academics and disciplines are not only a means of earning a living and gaining fame and fortune, but also the sustenance and reliance of his emotions, spirit, and life.This is the fundamental difference between scholars of this generation and what Mr. Fei Xiaotong called "the scholars of today".

Chapter 78: Commitment, Independence, Freedom, Creation/Qian Liqun (6) I recently wrote an article, also about this generation of scholars and intellectuals, titled "A Generation of Scholars with Commitment, Academics with Commitment".In other words, people of this generation have a responsibility to behave and do things.I also talked about such a commitment, which has three levels: commitment to the country, nation, human beings, history, era, society, and people; commitment to one's own life; commitment to academics. When I read this book, what touched me the most is the "three commitments"-let us talk about them one by one.

"Iron Shoulders of Morality": Commitment to Society, History, and the Nation This book writes about several scholars and journalists who died in their lives or in their posts. Among them was Shao Piaoping, a famous reporter in the Republic of China who was brutally killed for refusing to accept Zhang Zuolin's 300,000 yuan "hush fee".He has a motto: "Shoulder iron shoulders morality, write articles with hot hands." I think, "Iron shoulders morality" can summarize the common "invincible" ambition of this generation, and it is also their commitment to the country, nation, society, and society. It is a concentrated expression of human beings, their sense of responsibility to history, times, society, and people.This is also a choice of one's own role and position in society and history. It is determined that: in today's terms, they all call themselves "public intellectuals". What they represent is not the interests of a certain interest group, let alone their own. The self-interest of the society, but the social public interest, is the representative of the justice and conscience of the times, which is the so-called "morality with iron shoulders".

When this book writes about Deng Guangming, a professor of history at Peking University who is recognized as the "Song Shi Taidou", he specifically mentions a word mentioned by his old friend Mr. Ji Xianlin in his reminiscence article: "post-dead"-this is a Extremely deep concept.What is discussed here is the relationship between a scholar, especially a historical researcher, and his research object: not only the relationship between "researcher" and "researchee", but also the relationship between "post-dead" and "predecessor".Therefore, the forerunner has "entrustment" to the later deceased, and the later deceased has "responsibility" and "commitment" to the predecessor. The later deceased not only has to study and spread the ideas and achievements of the forerunner, but also has the responsibility of "continuing to talk about and continue to do" historical mission.Here, I can confess to you one of my pursuits: when I study Lu Xun, I not only want to "talk about Lu Xun", but also "follow Lu Xun to talk and do things" (applause).This is a sense of historical commitment; in my opinion, this is the true meaning and value of a historian, an intellectual, and the historical research he is engaged in.

Intellectuals, scholars, commitment to society, country, nation, and human beings, I think, are particularly important at two moments.One is a time of national crisis.This book tells about Mr. Chen Yuan, a master historian who was the president of Fu Jen Catholic University, the president of Beijing Normal University, and the curator of the Palace Museum library. What we have to do is, at this critical moment, preserve our national culture and inherit it.” Ma Xiangbo, another former president of Fudan University, passed away during the Anti-Japanese War, and his disciple Yu Youren praised him in his elegiac couplet for “protecting China through life and death.” ", referring to his commitment to national culture in the midst of national peril.

Chapter 79: Commitment, Independence, Freedom, Creation/Qian Liqun (7) When social morality is lost, in a sense, it is also a time of national crisis, so our national anthem: "The Chinese nation has reached the most dangerous time" has the meaning and function of vigilance at all times.Show your true colors in times of crisis. The more social morality is lost, the more intellectuals should assume the historical responsibility of "spiritual persistence". Universities, including Peking University, should play the role of "spiritual fortress and holy place" to "transfer the temporary social atmosphere". role.But the reality is quite the opposite, and many harrowing scandals have occurred on college campuses.Therefore, those scholars of the older generation who have integrity and even cleanliness are particularly nostalgic.When Mr. Lin Geng was born in the ninth fifth year, I wrote an article titled "Where there is a pure land of soul".I wrote: "In any case, the fact that old people still live with us in this world can indeed give people warmth", "because in this increasingly sinister and elusive world, there is too little He is such a person—such a good person, such a lovely person, such a faithful, sincere, and simple person", because "we cannot stand all kinds of hardships, the God in our hearts is dead, and we No more faith, no sincerity and simplicity, our hearts have long been clouded by grease and dust."This is the meaning of Lin Geng and his generation on the campus of Peking University: "Fortunately, there is still him, otherwise, we would be too pitiful, too sad. When I fell into impetuosity, depression, decadence, and despair, I thought of Yan Nanyuan With the light in that hut, my heart became calm, with warmth and tranquility, and the strength to forge ahead. Yes, there is a pure land of the soul there." (The audience was moved)

"Put your mind on how you see yourself": Commitment to your own life What impresses me most about this book are the three lectures given by the three professors described by the author, which I like to call "the most fascinating classes". The first class was "Selected Works" taught by Professor Liu Wendian of Southwest Associated University.Mr. Liu's lectures are not conventional, and he often takes the time to be casual and open-minded.One day, after speaking for half an hour, he suddenly announced that the get out of class would be dismissed early, and that the class would resume at 7:30 p.m. next Wednesday.It turned out that it was the fifteenth day of the fifth lunar month, and he was going to give a lecture on "Moon Fu" under the moonlight. --Students may wish to imagine: on the grass of the campus, the students are surrounded by a circle, and the old man sits among them, and talks about his "Fu on the Moon" in front of a round of Haoyue, just like the characters in the Wei and Jin Dynasties: this will be What a scene! The second wonderful class is the exam class taught by Professor Meng Wentong of Sichuan University: it is not the teacher who asks the students to test the students, but the students ask the teacher. Often the teacher can know the level of knowledge of the students as soon as the candidates ask the questions.If the student's question is well answered, Mr. Meng always laughs, then lights up the leaf cigarette and takes a deep breath, and begins to comment in detail. (Laughs) The examination room is not in the classroom, but in the tea shop among the bamboo bushes in Wangjianglou Park next to Sichuan University. Students are grouped into designated groups to drink tea for the exam, and Mr. Meng entertains them for tea. (laughing out loud) Chapter 80: Commitment, Independence, Freedom, Creation/Qian Liqun (8) This kind of class is absolutely eclectic, and it is freewheeling, which shows the teacher's true temperament, a free and unrestricted way of life, and life form.Therefore, what it gives students is not only knowledge, but also the influence and influence of life.In such a classroom, it is full of living life. Between teachers and students, between students and students, life communicates, communicates, and collides with each other, and finally achieves the integration and sublimation of each other's lives.Behind such a life-oriented education is a sense of commitment to life. (all active) And it was Mr. Lin Geng's "last lesson" that raised this awareness to a theoretical level.At that time, I had just stayed in the school as a teaching assistant, and the head of the department, Yan Jiayan, asked me to help organize retired old professors to give lectures to all students in the department.Mr. Lin readily agreed and made serious preparations. He spent more than a month pondering over and over again, changing the lecture topic several times.It was the last class that day, and Mr. was dressed neatly and elegantly. As soon as he stood there, he shocked everyone.Then, he said slowly and loudly: "What is poetry? The essence of poetry is discovery; poets should always be like babies, with their curious eyes wide open, looking at the world around them and discovering new beauty in the world." , the audience was solemn, and everyone fell into deep thought.The teacher quoted extensively from other sources and played it arbitrarily. He talked for a full two hours, and he still didn't get enough. The students were so fascinated by listening that they completely forgot the time.But when I helped my husband back home, he fell ill.Mr. is trying his best to finish this last lesson. This is really "swan song". (applaud) Let us now carefully understand this passage of Mr. Lin Geng: this is the condensation of his life experience in life, scholarship, and poetry writing, and it expresses the secrets and true meanings of literature, art, academic research, science, education, learning, and even life. .The key words here are "curiosity" and "discovery": first of all, we must maintain the curiosity of a baby when seeing the world for the first time, and use the first-time vision and mentality to observe, listen, read, think, and go to it. If you take the next class and write articles that have become your professional task, you will continue to have the desire and impulse to discover, and you will indeed continue to make new discoveries and new creations.In this way, you will have the feeling of "renewing every day, renewing every day, and renewing every day" as the ancients said, that is, you are entering a new state of life every moment of every day.If you keep it for a long time, you will have a "childlike heart".You see, whether it is Zeng Zhaolun, Liu Wendian, Meng Wentong, or all the "people from the Republic of China", which one of the old people we mentioned earlier has not maintained the state of "bare children" throughout their lives?I once said: Where is the "big" of Peking University?As far as "big" is concerned, there are a group of great scholars.Where is the "big" of university scholars?The "greatness" lies in their innocence and innocence, their curiosity and freshness about the world, society and academics, and their endless creativity.This is what other people said when they commented on Shen Congwen, "The stars are his writing, and he is an innocent man"! (long applause)