An Encouragement of Learning by Yukichi Fukuzawa

Author:Yukichi Fukuzawa [Fukuzawa, Yukichi]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Political Science/International Relations/General, POL011000, HIS021000, History/Asia/Japan
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Published: 2013-12-17T05:00:00+00:00

Section

NINE

A LETTER TO OLD FRIENDS IN NAKATSU STATING TWO WAYS OF LEARNING

Carefully considering the mental and physical functions of mankind, I find that I can make the following division: the functions of individual persons and those of social beings.

Let us call the former function the pursuit of happiness in daily life through the powers of one’s own body and mind. There is nothing in the universe which is not for a person’s use. If we plant a seed, it will produce fruit two hundred and three hundred times over. The trees in the heart of the mountains grow even when they are not cultivated. The winds turn water mills. The seas carry cargoes of men and goods. Heavy boats or other vehicles can be propelled by the power of coal dug from the mountains, and by the power of water drawn from the rivers or seas to produce steam. Innumerable other things can be made with the creative forces of nature, if they are skillfully employed. Humans thus benefit by only slightly rechanneling the creative forces of nature. We add only one percent to the ninety-nine percent of resources already supplied by the hand of nature. Therefore we cannot say that we create our daily necessities; it is rather as if we pick them up strewn along the roadside. Since it is not difficult to provide them for ourselves, we cannot as men boast of being able to do it.

Of course, an independent livelihood is of the greatest importance for an individual. The ancients teach us that we should eat our bread by the sweat of our brows. But my view is that even if we do so, we have still not fulfilled our destiny as human beings. This teaching only barely raises us up to the level of the birds and the beasts. Look! Every animal provides for itself. Not only do they satisfy momentary needs; certain species, like ants, plan for their distant future by digging holes to make their nests, and by storing up food for the winter. Indeed, there are people in the world who are satisfied with doing the work of ants.

Let me give an example. A person grows up to become an artisan, a merchant, or a government official. He gradually outgrows his dependence on relatives or friends. He makes a reasonable living, without being in debt to anyone. He readily builds a simple house, or rents one. Before it is completely furnished and stocked, he marries a young woman according to his wish. He settles down to a frugal life in which his many children receive an ordinary education. He always has a fund of thirty or forty yen in readiness for emergency and illness; he is anxious about planning to live a long and frugal life. At any rate, because he has the means to secure his household, he becomes proud of the fact that he has been able to earn an independent livelihood. And society also looks up to him as an independent and free man who has achieved some great thing.

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