Quotes from Zhang Zhidong

Without numerous schools offering hands-on opportunities, no commander will be cultivated.

If the Chinese will not learn the true principles of government, all else will be useless. Knowledge is power, and although a country may be weak, still, if it possess but a modicum of knowledge, the enemy will not be able to completely overthrow it; although that country may be in danger, the race will not be extirpated.

Primary education was in the first place to teach people to be good people. Only secondary education teaches people to also be useful people.

If, by one determined purpose, the hearts of all the graduates, the officials, and the men of China were united, our country would rest upon a great rock, and we could defy the world to overthrow us. To attain this object, it is necessary first that every man should fulfill his duty to his parents and elders. The country would then be at peace.

Our soldiers and people form one family. United, we may count on victory.