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.

Zhang Zhidong

There never yet has been a country which became powerful without knowledge. A man by his own strength alone cannot successfully combat a tiger, but by his intelligence, he can devise means to entrap him.

Zhang Zhidong

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

Zhang Zhidong

In order to defend the Chinese race, one must first defend the Confucian culture; and in order to defend the Confucian culture, one must first defend the State. This is because what preserves the race relies upon intelligence, which is in turn nurtured by Confucian education.

Zhang Zhidong

How can we make sure that Confucianism is to be practiced? One must enforce it with power, and to have power, one must have a strong army.

Zhang Zhidong