Hope was always out ahead of fact, possibility obscured the outlines of reality.
Wallace StegnerRead
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
What this quote means
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.
Themes
Chinese CivilizationBeautyLoveKnowledgeDesire
In practice
Example use cases
In a lecture about cultural appreciation, one could use this quote to highlight the value of learning from other civilizations.
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