Let Hu Shi's spirit alive in our hearts

Speech at Peking University law school graduation ceremony in 2008 (08 graduates Wang Fang perturbation)

Let Hu Shi's spirit alive in our heart

In the2008Speech at Peking University law school graduation ceremony (or farewell speech)

He Weifang

 According to its own:Receiving notice from the law school, Peking University School of law, to be held tomorrow 2009 graduates graduation ceremony. Separated by the numerous hills and streams, not for the students off, regret. Especially the last June 23rd commencement speech I as representatives of teachers and sticky, express my heartfelt blessing for the graduates. (a farewell Peking University certainly, the so-called "farewell address" subtitle and intermediate need to add a comment to this comment, but now even I also note not clear. How) In Shihezi University in June 28, 2009

 

This article appeared "Nandu week" in 2008 forty-seventh (issue 229th, June 27th)

Http://nbweekly.oeeee.com/Print/Article/434,995227,0.shtml

 

Dear graduating students, parents and family distinguished, distinguished guests and colleagues:

 

Just the president said his speech is not the standard graduation ceremony, perhaps he is to put the standard for me, because I drafted a speech earlier today. In law China, maybe I is one of several scholars, most of the speech. But in the past they seldom write notes, but this time it was beautifully. The first reason, this is my 10 years in our school ceremony speech for the first time, according to the conventional, ceremony or to reflect a solemn characteristics. The second reason, I have to tell you, I'm just from the airport. These days in Switzerland, not far from Geneva Neuchatel (called aNeuchatel) the city held a meeting, the meeting to commemorate the birth of the local famous international jurist Vatel(Emerich de Vattel)"The works" (Wan GuofaLe droit des gensThe publication)250Anniversary.1839Lin Zexu to Guangzhou to ban opium trade, once the trustee to translate a few fragments of this book is Chinese, this is the first time in Chinese translation of international law, Vatel is also the first book was transmitted to the east. This is also why I was invited to attend the meeting. According to the flight schedule, plane should have landed in Beijing Capital Airport at eight thirty this morning, our ceremony is held in the morning. I'm worried about flight delays, miss, is written in advance, to prepare for the "double" read. But, fortunately, I got here.

 

The students, after, after three or four years or longer in the campus in the learning life today, you to graduation time. The graduation ceremony speech not to warn teachers instruction, farewell shows between the lines. In the Neuchatel Lake in the Swiss town, thinking of you, I don't know what to say to you. In the north of the years have left you a deep impression, as you go out the background -- not just the Weiming lake beautiful scenery, not just books the classroom and the influence of admonishment, not just style of teachers with different features, more important is, we in the university spirit, the spirit that has become a part of my life.

 

 

 

When it comes to Peking University Spirit, each of us can produce a sense of uncertainty. Yes, the University of a hundred years history is so rich, so what is the spirit of Peking University People Different people, different views., said all the words, some difference in interpretation of it makes you think is in that two schools have no relevance! In my thirteen years as a teacher of this school experience, our school is the most important traditional is Cai Yuanpei, Hu Shi and Ma Yinchu all principals advocated and set an example by personally taking part of the independent university, academic freedom, the spirit of absorb anything and everything. Independence is the fear of power, not fawn on common. Freedom is in research and learning in academic and intellectual origin to point to, not affected by any non academic factors. As to absorb anything and everything, to a certain extent, it is the result of their freedom and independence, the inherent requirements we hold dissent, with humility, because there is no hegemony in front, broad and profound knowledge of ocean, equality.

 

Early last year, borrow to Soochow University lectures on the occasion, I made a special trip to Taipei Nangang visited President Hu Shi's tomb. Looking at the tomb of Peucedanum statue that Mr. keep cool face, I can not help but think of the end of their life in all sorts of deeds and strive for academic freedom and independence of our university. Though he gained a world reputation in his early years, but always keep academic as need to devote careers. He repeatedly stressed, where the great achievements in the cause of people, are extremely clever and stupid people to work. His research field is extremely broad, very few people can be involved in literature, history, philosophy, like him, linguistics, religion, politics and other fields, and remarkable achievements have been achieved in every field. Knowledge of the wide field of view not only let him rest in scholarship, but also for the development trend of national, society has more sound judgment. Today we come back to read his political comments, can deeply feel his modern Chinese political, constitutional and the rule of law should select path discussed how wise, Prudential, full of insight and imagination. Can say, Mr. Hu Shi personally involved in the China constitutional construction, from early on to old age for human rights, press freedom and judicial independence to the firm and rational resistance, not only had produced great influence, but also for the people of all our legal people provide a useful inspiration, set up the most worthy as example.

 

The students, on this occasion I talk so much about the words of Mr. Hu Shi, because he is our first president. The ancients called "non body more word", we want to study the essence of freedom, constitutionalism, rule of law, to explore their way, external theory, and some experience is important, but the side paradigm is the native resources treasure, we should look at efforts to follow. President Hu Shi that the relentless pursuit of knowledge, for the nation and the whole human destiny deep concern and great personality reflected in the way people are not to scale and realm, or sth. The rule of law is still in a critical moment in the Chinese today, to the combination of the three crucial. Mr. Li Ao had suggested in our campus neutral a statue of Hu Shi, I am in favor of; however, more important than the statue is, we want to let his spirit in the hearts of every person, in this campus life and growth in nature, carry forward!

 

Fellow students, colleagues, I said in the beginning of this speech are special to me, should perhaps add a reason: I would also like you graduates, leave the school at the end of the semester. I hesitated, not to mention this topic on this occasion. Of course, it left no what complex causes, was a "post" the life journey of transformation. "Inn" may be negative, however, "the life between heaven and earth, ignoring the customer as a long journey"; from a higher perspective, one short life is really like a passer-by. To realize this short, may let us enjoy pleasure in good time, but, I always suspected, the merry nervous mentality pressure below will bring true happiness, or just trapped beast. In fact, we should think more, as the people, where the source of happiness? How can we make the happiness and the spirit of the secular happiness together, and produce an actor's strength? The Hamlet question often sounded in my ears, eventually led me to leave the difficult decision.

 

As graduates, I this study at Peking University thirteen years old "graduates" to express their sincere gratitude here. Thanks to the Peking University, she let me here Guests feel at home., found his spiritual home. Thanks to the school of law, to thank my colleagues, this tolerance breath let me this is somewhat heterodox teachers feel just like a fish in water. I asked the teacher Shen Zongling, forgive the teacher, teacher Wei Zhenying, Zhang Wen's teacher, miss Li Guilian, you are too little, have negative expectations of you. Brother Wu Zhipan, brother Zhang Shouwen, your love should be specially in mind. Su Li brother, you as the researchers life encourages, opinions and I proud of the old friend, please accept my love and blessing -- not only bless you, wish our school of law!

 

Once some people ridicule said, if there is no students, university teacher this occupation is perfect. This joke has also revealed the number one source of university teacher occupation pressure. However, a source of stress and did not honor and the source of happiness? Please allow me to say, the students of Peking University law school gave me the highest reward, the greatest encouragement. Thanks to you, you are so rich and colorful teaching career, will have a sense of pride. I would like to say again, "Peking University top ten teachers" and "top ten university law school teachers" honor will be a lasting memories in my life!

 

Here, students can see, this year the law school arrangement I as a teacher representative, has a special effect: I send you, you also see my. To send people who are being sent, labor Yan swirling, where we meet again? Fortunately, the world has shrunk, information fast, difficult don't become difficult. I look forward to meet again, let the hearts of the joy and happiness and the cause of the harvest with you forever!

 

Thank you!

 

2008Years6Month21Date of draft23A slightly modified on the morning after the speech

 

"Nandu week" page