Lin Yutang Quotes

A collection of quotes by Lin Yutang.

Lin Yutang (1895-1976) was a prominent Chinese writer, philosopher, and translator, best known for his efforts in bridging the cultural gap between the East and the West. He was born in the Fujian province of China and later pursued his education in the United States, earning a PhD in Comparative Literature from Harvard University in 1923. Throughout his life, Lin Yutang wrote extensively on a wide range of topics, including literature, language, philosophy, and traditional Chinese culture.

Lin Yutang's most notable work is perhaps his book "The Importance of Living" (1937), which became immensely popular both in China and abroad. In this philosophical and humorous account, he explored the significance of leading a balanced, joyful, and authentic life, advocating for simplicity, spiritual richness, and embracing happiness in everyday experiences.

Recognized for his expertise in translating Chinese literary classics into English, Lin Yutang played a crucial role in introducing Chinese literature and philosophy to the Western world. His translations, notably his rendition of "The Wisdom of Confucius" and "The Analects of Confucius," provided Western readers with insights into ancient Chinese wisdom and ethics.

Lin Yutang's contributions to cultural exchange and understanding were highly regarded, and he received numerous accolades during his career, including the 1957 World Peace Award. His profound thoughts and writings continue to inspire and engage readers across diverse cultures, making him an influential figure in 20th-century intellectual discourse.

Hope is like a road in the country there was never a road, b

Hope is like a road in the country there was never a road, but when many people walk on it, the road comes into existence.

Society can exist only on the basis that there is some amoun

Society can exist only on the basis that there is some amount of polished lying and that no one says exactly what he thinks.

Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the n

Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials.

I feel, like all modern Americans, no consciousness of sin a

I feel, like all modern Americans, no consciousness of sin and simply do not believe in it. All I know is that if God loves me only half as much as my mother does, he will not send me to Hell. That is a final fact of my inner consciousness, and for no religion could I deny its truth.

Truth Love Religion

This is a personal testimony, a testimony of my own experien

This is a personal testimony, a testimony of my own experience of thought and life. It is not intended to be objective and makes no claim to establish eternal truths. In fact I rather despise claims to objectivity in philosophy; the point of view is the thing.

Experience Life Truth Philosophy

Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the n

Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of nonessentials.

Wisdom

No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes

No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.

Travel

Once Confucius was walking on the mountains and he came acro

Once Confucius was walking on the mountains and he came across a woman weeping by a grave. He asked the woman what here sorrow was, and she replied, We are a family of hunters. My father was eaten by a tiger. My husband was bitten by a tiger and died. And now my only son! Why don't you move down and live in the valley? Why do you continue to live up here? asked Confucius. And the woman replied, But sir, there are no tax collectors here! Confucius added to his disciples, You see, a bad government is more to be feared than tigers.

Taxation

If you can spend a perfectly useless afternoon in a perfectl

If you can spend a perfectly useless afternoon in a perfectly useless manner, you have learned how to live.

Life

Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother.

Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother.

Mother

I like spring, but it is too young. I like summer, but it is

I like spring, but it is too young. I like summer, but it is too proud. So I like best of all autumn, because its tone is mellower, its colours are richer, and it is tinged with a little sorrow. Its golden richness speaks not of the innocence of spring, nor the power of summer, but of the mellowness and kindly wisdom of approaching age. It knows the limitations of life and its content.

Seasons

A good traveler is one who does not know where he is going,

A good traveler is one who does not know where he is going, and a perfect traveler does not know where he came from.

Travel

This I conceive to be the chemical function of humor: to cha

This I conceive to be the chemical function of humor: to change the character of our thought.

Humor

The secret of contentment is knowing how to enjoy what you h

The secret of contentment is knowing how to enjoy what you have, and to be able to lose all desire for things beyond your reach.

Contentment

All women's dresses are merely variations on the eternal str

All women's dresses are merely variations on the eternal struggle between the admitted desire to dress and the unadmitted desire to undress.

Fashion

Society can exist only on the basis that there is some amoun

Society can exist only on the basis that there is some amount of polished lying and that no one says exactly as he thinks.

Society

Peace of mind is that mental condition in which you have acc

Peace of mind is that mental condition in which you have accepted the worst.

Serenity

Today we are afraid of simple words like goodness and mercy

Today we are afraid of simple words like goodness and mercy and kindness. We don't believe in the good old words because we don't believe in good old values anymore. And that's why the world is sick.

Value

Where there are too many policemen, there is no liberty. Whe

Where there are too many policemen, there is no liberty. Where there are too many soldiers, there is no peace. Where there are too many lawyers, there is no justice.

Peace