Chapter 33 be honest

Years ago, Mr. Minze wrote to me, asking me to write a "self-report" about academic research, and the longer the better.This was originally a very interesting topic, but also very meaningful.However, at that time my twenty-four-volume "Collected Works" had not yet been compiled, and I could not find time to write it, so I only agreed to consider it.Now "Collected Works" is finished.Mr. Minze called again, bringing up the old matter again.I promised him to start writing right away. I have been engaged in teaching and research all my life, and I have reached my ninth year so far.In such a long period of time, it is unreasonable to say that we have no experience and lessons.It is also not true to say that there are any and how many great experiences there are.I am indeed an old horse, and I should know a little bit about the way.But whether the way of knowing is correct or not, I am not sure.I don't like to tell lies all my life. Now that I want to write, I will tell the truth. I will never exaggerate, and I will not pretend to be modest.If there's anything wrong with it, it's level-limited, not intentional.I hope readers can understand this point.In a word, in a word: I hope readers, especially young readers, will not have too high hopes or unrealistic expectations for my "Self-Report".The ancients said: "When mandarin ducks are embroidered, you can see them, and don't give them golden needles." I don't have any golden needles at all, and even if I want to save them, there is nothing to save them.If young readers can gain anything useful from my experience and lessons, it is by their own understanding or subjective initiative, and cannot be credited to my account book.

The above is the "preface". December 1997 (This article is the preface to the book "Study in the Sea - Ji Xianlin's Self-narration")